Rescuers Intensify Search After Garbage Avalanche in Philippines

Rescue efforts are ongoing in Cebu City, Philippines, where a garbage avalanche has claimed the lives of at least four workers and left more than 30 others missing. The incident occurred on Thursday at a landfill in the village of Binaliw, prompting immediate action from local authorities and emergency responders.

On Saturday, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival confirmed that rescuers had detected “signs of life” in specific areas of the rubble. This discovery has renewed hopes of finding survivors as dozens of personnel, including police and firefighters, continue to search through the dangerous conditions created by the collapsed waste management facility.

The avalanche, which resulted from a massive mound of garbage collapsing, has left rescuers racing against time. The facility employs around 110 workers, and the deceased include an engineer and an office worker. Initially, reports indicated two fatalities and 36 missing; however, the confirmed death toll rose to four on Saturday, with the number of missing individuals remaining uncertain.

As recovery operations proceed, Mayor Archival emphasized the need for safety due to unstable debris and other hazards, such as acetylene risks. A 50-ton crane is being deployed to aid in the excavation, allowing for more thorough search efforts.

Survivors have shared harrowing accounts of the disaster. Jaylord Antigua, a 31-year-old office worker, recounted how the wall of garbage suddenly collapsed, destroying the administrative office where he was working. He managed to escape from the rubble, crawling towards a light he saw, fearing further landslides. “It was traumatic. I feared that it was my end, so this is my second life,” he said.

The cause of the avalanche remains under investigation. Witnesses reported that the collapse occurred without warning, despite relatively good weather conditions at the time. This incident has raised concerns about the safety of similar waste management facilities across the country.

The impact of the collapse on waste disposal in Cebu City is yet to be fully assessed. Mayor Archival mentioned that preparations are underway to address potential garbage collection issues that may arise due to the incident but did not provide further details.

Landfills and open dump sites in the Philippines have long posed safety and health risks, particularly in impoverished communities where residents often scavenge for food and materials. A similar tragedy occurred in July 2000, when a garbage mound in Quezon City collapsed, resulting in over 200 fatalities. This disaster prompted significant changes in waste management policies across the country, including the closure of illegal dump sites and improved safety measures.

As recovery efforts continue, families of the missing remain hopeful, while authorities work diligently to ensure the safety of both responders and the community at large.