Philippines Landfill Collapse: Death Toll Rises to 4, 34 Missing
At least four dead and 34 missing after a massive garbage mountain collapsed at a landfill in Cebu, Philippines.
A major disaster struck the central Philippines after a towering heap of garbage collapsed at the Binaliw Landfill in Cebu City, killing at least four people and burying dozens of workers. The incident occurred on Thursday when refuse reportedly toppled from a height equivalent to a 20-storey building. Around 50 sanitation workers were trapped under the rubble at the privately operated facility. Rescue operations continued through Saturday under extremely dangerous conditions.
Hard hat–wearing rescue workers, assisted by heavy machinery such as backhoes, have been digging through layers of trash, steel, and debris in search of survivors. However, officials warned that ongoing movement within the landfill poses a serious risk of further collapse. Rescuers are being forced to halt operations intermittently to ensure their own safety. Poor communication signals at the dumpsite have also slowed the flow of information.
Cebu City council member Joel Garganera confirmed that the death toll had risen to four, with at least 34 people still unaccounted for. Many of the victims were reportedly inside staff housing structures within the landfill when the collapse occurred. Garganera said the sheer weight of garbage and steel debris has made rescue efforts extremely challenging. Families of missing workers remain at the site, anxiously awaiting any positive news.
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At least 12 workers have so far been rescued alive and rushed to hospitals for treatment. Authorities said hopes of finding more survivors remain, though the conditions are becoming increasingly difficult. Officials have avoided shifting fully to recovery operations, citing the presence of families and the possibility of miracles. Continuous rainfall in the region has raised further concerns about instability.
Experts and local leaders have raised alarm over the landfill’s height and safety standards. Garganera described the garbage mound as highly dangerous, noting that waste absorbs rainwater like a sponge, increasing the risk of collapse. The Binaliw Landfill processes around 1,000 tonnes of waste daily and serves as the sole waste facility for Cebu and nearby areas. Calls for accountability are growing, as the landfill operator has yet to respond publicly to the incident.
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