200 feared dead, missing in Southern Leyte landslide

The Philippine National Red Cross on Friday estimated that as many as 200 people might have died after a landslide hit Guinsaugon village in St. Bernard town in Southern Leyte. Rescue workers recovered the bodies of four people as of posting time. More were still reported missing as of press time after rocks and mud covered over 300 houses and school buildings. Local government officials blamed continuous rains since last week for the landslide. Soil from a nearby mountain gave way at around 11 a.m. Friday. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said an earthquake rattled Southern Leyte half an hour before the landslide, radio reports said. The quake that occurred around 10:30 a.m. had its epicenter at Maasim town. Residents said they felt the earth rumble around 11 a.m. Provincial and regional disaster coordinating councils placed rescue teams on alert upon learning of the incident. President Arroyo immediately declared a state of calamity in Southern Leyte, which has been hurting from landslides and flooding for over a week now. Rescue teams feared for the safety of the pupils and teachers of Guinsaugon Elementary School, which was reportedly smothered by heaps of mud and rock. Residents said a school program was ongoing when the incident happened. Dr. Anthony Golez, National Disaster Coordinating Council spokesman, told GMA’s DZBB the Armed Forces will utilize all resources in the search and rescue efforts. -GMANEWS.TV, with a report from inq7.net