Filipino rescuers find ‘signs of life’ in garbage avalanche that killed 4 and left dozens missing
Rescuers in the central Philippines have detected signs of life in a massive garbage avalanche that killed at least four workers and left more than 30 others missing at a landfill in Cebu City, authorities said Saturday. Teams plan to intensify search efforts as the operation continues amid dangerous conditions.
Twelve workers have already been rescued with injuries from the collapsed mound at the waste management facility in the village of Binaliw. Rescuers, including police, firefighters, and disaster-response personnel, are working through unstable piles of garbage, twisted tin roofs, and iron debris, navigating hazards such as combustible materials and acetylene tanks. Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said a 50-ton crane is en route to help carefully excavate areas where life signs have been detected. “Safety of responders remains paramount due to hazards such as unstable debris and acetylene risks,” he said, noting adjustments to security perimeters and controlled access.
The four confirmed dead include an engineer and a female office worker, all employees of the landfill’s staff of 110. The number of missing workers is still being verified. The collapse occurred suddenly despite clear weather, according to a survivor. Jaylord Antigua, a 31-year-old office worker, said the wall of garbage destroyed the administrative office he was in. He escaped with bruises by crawling through the debris in darkness. “It was traumatic. I feared that it was my end, so this is my second life,” he said.
Authorities have not yet determined what caused the collapse. Mayor Archival said preparations are underway to manage potential disruptions to garbage collection in Cebu, a bustling city of nearly one million people. Landfills and open dumpsites in the Philippines have long posed safety and health risks, especially for communities where residents scavenge for food and recyclables.
The disaster draws parallels to a catastrophic 2000 collapse at a Quezon City dump near Manila, which killed over 200 people, left many missing, and destroyed shanties. That event prompted nationwide legislation closing illegal dumps and implementing stricter waste management practices.
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