The death toll in a collapsed landfill in the central Philippines has risen to 11, authorities said, as hopes of finding survivors dim.
The landslide occurred at the Binaliw landfill in Cebu City last week, while more than 100 workers were on site, officials reported.
Rescuers have pulled 12 injured individuals from the debris, but over 20 people remain missing. A local fire official stated that it is unlikely anyone could survive three days under the tons of debris and trash that collapsed upon them.
The tragedy has ignited calls for investigations into the cause of the collapse and a comprehensive review of the country's waste management system.
In response, environmental authorities have ordered Prime Integrated Waste Solutions, Inc., the landfill operator, to cease operations at the site. They must submit a compliance plan within 90 days, according to the local Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
This department will also conduct an investigation into the collapse and hold accountable those responsible. Lawmakers are urging reviews of waste management practices and the working conditions for laborers in the sector.
Senator Imee Marcos, advocating for reforms, remarked, This should have never happened. We have seen similar tragedies before, yet the same dangers persist. The lives lost in Cebu demand clear answers and real reforms.
Bienvinido Ranido, a local resident whose wife worked at the landfill, recounted fleeing from the site when he saw the building collapse, stating, The garbage exploded. He later learned that his wife's body had been recovered from the wreckage.
The Binaliw landfill spans approximately 15 hectares (37 acres), and initial reports indicate a combination of continuous rainfall and engineering factors may have contributed to its failure.
Landfills are commonplace in major Philippine cities, including Cebu, which serves as a vital trading center in the archipelago's central islands.
