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Death toll rises to 11 in Cebu City landfill disaster
Eleven people have died after a landslide at the Binaliw landfill in Cebu City, Philippines, authorities confirmed on Tuesday. Rescuers continue searching for over 20 missing workers following last week's collapse.
Rescue efforts persist despite grim outlook
More than 100 workers were at the site when tons of debris buried sections of the landfill. Fire officials initially doubted survivors could endure three days trapped under the rubble. However, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival told GMA News on Monday that "signs of life" had been detected, prompting authorities to maintain rescue operations.
Twelve injured individuals have been pulled from the wreckage so far. Bienvinido Ranido, a local resident whose wife worked at the landfill, described the moment of collapse to Reuters: "I saw people fleeing. The garbage exploded." His wife's body was recovered the following day.
Investigations launched into collapse causes
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has suspended operations at the landfill, ordering operator Prime Integrated Waste Solutions, Inc. to submit a compliance plan within 90 days. A preliminary report from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau cited recent heavy rainfall, which saturated waste and increased its weight, alongside potential engineering failures.
The DENR announced it would investigate the incident and hold responsible parties accountable. The Binaliw landfill spans 20 hectares, with three hectares actively used for waste disposal, according to Cebu newspaper The Freeman.
Calls for waste management reforms grow
Lawmakers, including Senator Imee Marcos, have demanded a review of the country's waste management system and labor conditions for waste workers. Marcos stated, "This should have never happened. We have seen similar tragedies before, yet the same dangers persist."
"The lives lost in Cebu demand clear answers and real reforms."
Senator Imee Marcos
Landfills are widespread in major Philippine cities like Cebu, a key trading hub in the Visayas region. The disaster has reignited debates over safety standards and environmental oversight.
Next steps
Authorities will continue rescue operations while awaiting the DENR's final report on the collapse. Public hearings on waste management reforms are expected in the coming weeks.
