A catastrophic collapse at the Binaliw Landfill in Cebu, Philippines, has resulted in one confirmed fatality with 38 individuals reported missing, plunging the community into a desperate search and rescue operation. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon when a massive accumulation of garbage gave way, burying dozens of sanitation workers who were on site.
Local authorities confirmed that at least 12 employees have been successfully extracted from the debris and are currently hospitalized, their conditions varying. The official Facebook page of Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival released a statement indicating that rescue teams are “fully engaged in search and retrieval efforts to locate the remaining missing persons.”
The cause of the sudden collapse remains undetermined, adding a layer of mystery to the tragedy. Marge Parcotello, a civilian staff member with the Consolacion police department, noted that the weather was clear at the time, stating, “We don’t know what caused the collapse. It wasn’t raining at all.” The town of Consolacion, which shares a boundary with the government-run landfill facility, is believed to be home to many of the victims. The Binaliw Landfill serves Cebu, a major metropolitan hub and popular tourist destination with a population of approximately one million people.