Police say 1 person killed, at least 27 missing in landfill collapse in central Philippine city
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — An avalanche of garbage-buried workers at a waste separation plant in the central Philippines left one person dead, seven injured and at least 27 missing, police said Friday.
Police said rescuers rescued eight people alive and were searching for missing persons who were still trapped after a large pile of garbage and debris collapsed on them in Cebu City’s Binaliw village. Workers at the landfill were among those affected, but it was unclear whether non-workers were among the victims.
One of the rescued people, a landfill worker woman, died while being taken to hospital. Regional police chief Brig. The rest survived with injuries, General Roderick Maranan told The Associated Press.
Maranan said that based on the initial police report, search and rescue efforts are continuing for the 27 missing people.
Cebu Mayor Nestor Archival said Friday that at least 12 people were rescued while 38 people were missing. The reason for the different casualty and rescue numbers given by police and the Archive was not immediately clear.
“All response teams continue to fully participate in search and rescue efforts to locate the remaining missing persons, with strict adherence to security protocols,” Archival said in a statement posted on Facebook.
Dozens of rescue workers at the dumpsite worked through the night to search for trapped people.
“The city government assures the public and the families of those affected that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure safety, transparency, accountability and compassionate assistance while operations continue,” Archival said. he said.
Officials and officials at the waste management facility, which employs 110 people, will hold an emergency meeting on Friday, Archival said.
Maranan said one of the low-rise buildings hit by the wall of garbage dumped in the landfill was a warehouse where workers sorted recyclable waste and trash, adding that it remained unclear whether nearby homes were also affected.
