One Dead and Over 30 Missing After Massive Landfill Collapse in Cebu

In a tragic incident in the central Philippines, a giant landfill in Cebu City collapsed on Thursday, leaving one dead and more than 30 people trapped under debris. Authorities confirmed that the deceased is a 22-year-old woman, while several other sanitation workers are still missing. Rescue operations are ongoing as teams race against time to save lives.

The incident took place at the Binaliw Landfill, a 15-hectare (37-acre) site, which is one of the largest waste disposal facilities in Cebu. The collapse has raised serious concerns about waste management practices and landfill safety in the Philippines.

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Rescue Efforts Underway: Injured Workers Hospitalized

Rescuers successfully retrieved 12 injured workers from the rubble, who were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. However, many others remain trapped, and rescuers face significant challenges due to the unstable nature of the landfill.

Cebu Mayor Nestor Archival highlighted the difficulty of the operation, stating, “This is not like other landslides that you can just excavate. If you pull from the top, the bottom is soft. Let’s say there is a person there, when you get the debris, it might get worse.”

Over 300 personnel from government agencies and civilian groups have been deployed to the disaster site. Excavators, fire trucks, and ambulances are working tirelessly to locate missing workers.

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Possible Causes: Poor Waste Management Practices

While the exact cause of the collapse remains under investigation, Cebu City councillor Joel Garganera suggested that poor waste management and unsafe landfill operations may be to blame. According to Garganera, operators had been cutting into the garbage mountain, mining soil, and piling waste to form new mounds, which compromised the stability of the landfill.

“This is not a sanitary landfill. It’s already an open dumpsite,” Garganera said. Experts warn that such practices can make landfills extremely unstable and prone to sudden collapses, putting workers and nearby communities at serious risk.

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Families Await News of Loved Ones

Families of the trapped workers have gathered near the landfill, anxiously awaiting updates on their relatives. Some survivors have been rescued, but the uncertainty has left many in emotional distress.

One mother, Belen Antigua, told Rappler that her son survived the landslide, but she is still waiting for news of other family members. Another woman, Michelle Lumapas, shared her fear that her brother may still be trapped under the debris.

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Landfills in Cebu and the Philippines: A Growing Problem

Landfills like Binaliw are common in major Philippine cities, including Cebu, which serves as the trading and transportation hub of the Visayas region. The incident has reignited discussions about the need for better landfill management, stricter safety protocols, and proper waste disposal systems to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The Binaliw landfill disaster is a stark reminder of the risks faced by sanitation workers and the communities living near open dumpsites. Authorities are calling for urgent reforms to ensure that such accidents do not happen again.

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What’s Next: Investigation and Safety Measures

Officials are continuing to search for missing workers while investigating the cause of the collapse. Emergency teams are urging caution for anyone near the landfill due to the risk of further landslides.

Mayor Archival emphasized that all response teams remain fully engaged in search and retrieval efforts, promising the public that every effort is being made to save lives and prevent further harm.