Cebu landfill landslide death toll rises to 11

The number of fatalities in the landslide at a landfill in Cebu City has increased to 11, according to the city fire station on Tuesday. 

In an update as of 5 a.m., Cebu City Fire Station spokesperson Senior Fire Officer 3 Wendell Villanueva said 25 people remain missing. 

A total of 12 people were also reported injured in the tragedy. 

Since Thursday afternoon, search and rescue operations have been conducted following a landslide at the landfill site in Barangay Binaliw.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said signs of life have been detected beneath the landfill site.

“Yesterday, there was this Apex Mining, mayroon silang equipment na nagpakita na mayroon parang signs of life. So kaya nga, although 72 hours nang nag-lapse we are still on the rescue mode,” Archival told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita in an interview.

(Yesterday, there was this Apex Mining, they had equipment that showed signs of life. That’s why, although 72 hours have passed, we are still on rescue mode.)

Archival said that the rescue and search operations have sped up when new equipment arrived. He acknowledged that rescue efforts initially progressed slowly due to safety risks at the site. 

“Sabi nila we should be very careful because doon sa ilalim may gas leak. The other one is yung building is made of steel and they are interconnected. If we lift some parts of the building baka maipit yung mga tao na nasa ilalim,” he added.

(Rescuers said we should be very careful because there is a gas leak underneath. The other one is that the building is made of steel and then they are interconnected. If we lift some parts of the building, the people underneath might get trapped.)

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Central Visayas has issued a cease-and-desist order against Prime Integrated Waste Solutions, Inc. (PWS), the operator of the landfill.

Prime Waste Solutions Cebu earlier said it is “working closely with relevant government agencies and the local government to provide the necessary assistance and support to all those affected by the incident.”

It said the facility’s operations have been suspended. 

The landfill facility operator said it will provide updates and share information once available.

“The safety and well-being of our employees, contractors, and neighboring communities remain our top priority,” it said. —KG/ VAL, GMA Integrated News