By: The Trek News Desk
The death toll from a massive landfill collapse in Cebu City, located in central Philippines, has risen to 11, according to local authorities. Rescue teams have so far pulled out 12 injured workers from the debris, while more than 20 individuals remain unaccounted for.
The incident occurred last week at the Binaliw landfill when a huge volume of waste suddenly collapsed. At the time of the collapse, over 100 workers were reportedly present at the site. Several labourers were trapped as tons of garbage slid down unexpectedly.
Earlier, a local fire official had expressed concerns that the chances of finding survivors were extremely slim after three days under the debris. However, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival told local media on Monday that rescuers detected “signs of life” beneath the rubble, prompting authorities to continue full-scale rescue operations.
The tragedy has reignited debate over landfill safety standards and the overall waste management system in the country. Following the incident, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ordered the landfill operator, Prime Integrated Waste Solutions Inc., to immediately suspend operations. The company has been instructed to submit a compliance and corrective action plan within 90 days.
DENR officials stated that a formal investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the collapse and to hold accountable any parties found responsible for negligence.
Calling the incident unacceptable, Senator Imee Marcos demanded a thorough probe, stating that similar disasters have occurred in the past, but systemic risks continue to be ignored. She emphasised the need for clear accountability and meaningful reforms to protect workers’ lives.
Preliminary findings by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau suggest that prolonged heavy rainfall in recent weeks increased the weight of the waste, weakening the landfill’s stability. Possible engineering and structural issues are also being examined as part of the investigation.
The Binaliw landfill spans around 20 hectares, with approximately three hectares actively used for waste dumping. Cebu City serves as a major commercial and transportation hub in the Visayas region, where landfills remain a common method of waste disposal.
Source: News Agencies
