Rescuers have detected signs of life in a garbage avalanche that tragically claimed the lives of at least four workers and left over 30 others missing in a landfill in central Philippines. The search efforts are being intensified following the incident that occurred in the village of Binaliw in Cebu City. Twelve workers were rescued with injuries from the collapsed garbage mound amidst the low buildings of a waste management facility.
A large team of rescuers, including police, firefighters, and disaster-response personnel, are working tirelessly to locate more survivors in hazardous conditions among the debris of twisted metal, iron bars, and flammable garbage. Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival stated that signs of life have been identified in specific areas, necessitating careful excavation and the deployment of an advanced 50-ton crane with police escort.
The tragic incident claimed the lives of four individuals, including an engineer and an office worker, who were employees at the landfill and waste management facility. The initial count of victims included two fatalities and 36 missing persons, which has now been updated to four confirmed deaths. The cause of the garbage mountain collapse remains unclear, with a survivor recounting that it happened suddenly without any warning despite favorable weather conditions.
One survivor, Jaylord Antigua, described the harrowing experience of being inside the administrative office when the garbage wall collapsed. He managed to escape with injuries by crawling through the rubble towards a light amidst the darkness. The impact of the accident on garbage disposal operations at the landfill in Cebu is uncertain, as preparations are being made to address the impending garbage collection issue.
Landfills and open dump sites have long posed safety and health risks in the Philippines, particularly in areas near impoverished communities where residents scavenge for items in the garbage. The recent incident serves as a reminder of the dangers associated with improper waste management practices.
