Metro Manila, Philippines – The death toll in the landfill landslide in Cebu City has risen to six people, officials reported on Sunday, Jan. 11, as authorities continue to search for dozens of workers buried or trapped by an avalanche of garbage and debris.
In a report, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Cebu City said that 31 individuals remain missing after a massive section of the Binaliw landfill, operated by Prime Waste Solutions, collapsed on Jan. 8, damaging several structures and facilities.
Authorities said 12 individuals have been rescued, while 12 others were injured.
Responders continued to conduct backhoe clearing operations to aid in search and retrieval efforts.
“Response teams remain on high alert and committed to exhausting all efforts to locate the missing and ensure the safety of everyone involved,” the BFP said.
On Saturday, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said there were ongoing preparations to manage the looming garbage collection issue following the deadly incident.
Archival earlier said he reached out to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for help to develop at least 10 more hectares for the landfill.
Greenpeace Philippines said the landfill landslide exposed a “grim picture of our broken waste management system,” noting that the country has yet to pass a law regulating single-use plastics.
“Without curbing the overproduction of residual waste – especially single-use plastics – landslide disasters like this will keep putting communities at risk,” the environmental group said.
“The government shouldn’t wait for another tragedy, but should act now to address the plastic pollution crisis decisively,” it said.
