MANILA, Philippines (AP) — In a tragic incident at a landfill in Cebu City, an avalanche of garbage resulted in the death of at least four workers and left over 30 others missing. The collapse occurred on Thursday, prompting a widespread rescue operation that continued into the weekend.
Twelve workers trapped in the debris have been rescued with injuries, as emergency responders, including police, firefighters, and disaster-response teams, work diligently to find additional survivors. The scene is complicated by the unstable conditions created by twisted metal and heaps of garbage.
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival announced on Saturday that signs of life had been discovered in certain areas of the debris. This prompted teams to employ more sophisticated equipment, including a large 50-ton crane that was being transported with police escort to aid in the rescue efforts. “The safety of responders remains paramount due to hazards such as unstable debris and acetylene risks,” Archival stated, emphasizing the need for careful excavation tactics.
The four deceased individuals, including an engineer and a female office worker, were all employees of the landfill, which has a workforce of approximately 110. The initial casualty report listed two dead and 36 missing, but the numbers were updated as the situation unfolded. The mayor refrained from providing a revised count of the missing as search efforts were ongoing.
Witness accounts reveal the horrifying nature of the incident. Jaylord Antigua, a 31-year-old office worker at the landfill, described how the wall of garbage collapsed suddenly without warning, even though the weather conditions were relatively clear. Antigua managed to escape from the wreckage after crawling through debris, expressing his trauma and gratitude for surviving the harrowing experience.
As the rescue operations continue, questions arise regarding the future of garbage disposal in Cebu, a bustling port city with a population nearing one million. Mayor Archival noted that preparations are being made to address potential garbage collection issues caused by the disaster, though he did not provide further details.
Landfills and open dumpsites in the Philippines have long posed safety and health risks, particularly in impoverished neighborhoods where residents often scavenge for food and discarded materials. The country has previously faced similar disasters; notably, in July 2000, when a massive garbage mound in Quezon City collapsed, resulting in over 200 fatalities and prompting stricter regulations on waste management practices nationwide.
The current disaster serves as a dire reminder of the structural dangers present in improperly managed waste facilities and the urgent need for improved safety protocols to protect both workers and surrounding communities in the future.
