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Landfill disaster in Cebu City claims one life, traps dozens
A massive pile of garbage at the Binaliw Landfill in Cebu City, Philippines, collapsed on Thursday, killing a 22-year-old woman and leaving more than 30 people unaccounted for, authorities confirmed.
Rescue efforts underway amid instability fears
Emergency teams have recovered 12 injured sanitation workers from the debris, all of whom were rushed to nearby hospitals. However, rescue operations face significant challenges due to the risk of further collapses.
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival warned that the unstable terrain complicates search efforts. "This isn't like other landslides where you can simply dig. The base is soft-if you remove debris from the top, the situation below could worsen," he told ABS-CBN on Friday.
Poor waste management blamed for tragedy
The exact cause of the collapse remains under investigation, but local officials suspect negligent waste disposal practices. Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera described the site as an "open dumpsite" rather than a regulated landfill.
Garganera told The Freeman that operators had been excavating soil from the mountain of trash to mine materials, then piling more garbage on top-creating an unstable structure. "It's not a sanitary landfill," he emphasized.
Families await news as search intensifies
Approximately 300 personnel from government agencies and volunteer groups have been deployed to the privately owned landfill, supported by excavators, ambulances, and fire trucks. Despite these efforts, families of the missing remain in anguish.
"I can't process my emotions. They say trapped workers are calling for help-my brother might still be there," said Michelle Lumapas, whose sibling works at the site.
Michelle Lumapas, relative of a missing worker
Belen Antigua, a local resident, told Rappler that while her son survived the collapse, she continues to wait for updates on other missing relatives. Families have gathered at the site since Friday morning, desperately searching for loved ones.
Landfill conditions raise broader concerns
The Binaliw Landfill spans 15 hectares (37 acres) and serves as a critical waste disposal site for Cebu City, a major economic hub in the Visayas region. Such open dumpsites are common across the Philippines, despite environmental and safety risks.
Mayor Archival reiterated that all available resources remain focused on locating survivors, though the unstable conditions may prolong the operation.
