The death toll from a dumpsite collapse in the central Philippine city of Cebu has risen to eight as of Sunday morning, as search and rescue operations continue.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in the Central Visayas region said 12 individuals have been rescued so far, all of whom sustained injuries, while more than 20 others remained unaccounted for as of Monday morning, four days after a mountain of garbage collapsed on Thursday afternoon.
Most of those still unaccounted for are believed to be sanitation workers, according to the city’s disaster risk and management council.
Rescue teams have been carefully removing debris using acetylene torches, backhoes, and a 50-ton crane, while managing hazards posed by unstable trash mounds that continue to emit methane and carbon gases, authorities said, adding that rescuers have not yet been able to confirm whether there are any signs of life beneath the rubble.
Philippine Rescue Efforts Continue
“Response teams remain on high alert and committed to exhausting all efforts to locate the missing and ensure the safety of everyone involved. Continuous updates will be provided as operations progress,” the BFP-Cebu City said.
The cause of the collapse has not been confirmed, but city officials said poor waste management practices may have contributed.
Locals attributed the collapse to the heavy rainfall that occurred in the days earlier. They also previously reported noticing cracks in the mountain due to Typhoon Kalmaegi hitting the province.
