Death toll in Cebu landfill now at 8; search continues
CEBU CITY—The death toll from the collapsed landfill in Barangay Binaliw here has climbed to eight, but authorities continued the search and rescue operations amid hopes that survivors may still be trapped beneath the debris, Mayor Nestor Archival said on Monday.
Speaking at a press briefing, Archival said 18 individuals were still currently being treated in hospitals.
“The [number of] fatalities is eight and 28 are still missing,” the mayor said.
Despite the passing of the critical 72-hour window, Archival said rescue efforts would continue after indications that signs of life may still be present at the site.
“The 72 hours have already lapsed, but we are still hoping that there are people alive. That is why we continue the search and rescue operation,” he said.
Archival added that specialized equipment from Apex Mining, a private company based in Davao that volunteered to assist in the operation, arrived on Sunday. The equipment is capable of detecting possible signs of life beneath heavy debris.
“[On Sunday], Apex Mining brought equipment that can detect signs of life, and they are saying there are signs of life. That is why we are pushing for the operation until we decide something else,” he said.
Rescuers faced multiple hazards, including heavy rain, foul odors, methane gas and steel debris mixed with compacted waste, which made extraction difficult.
Hazards
According to them, physical dangers were compounded by the emotional strain of witnessing families anxiously waiting for news of their missing loved ones.
It was on Jan. 8 when a massive garbage pile at the materials recovery facility collapsed while at least 100 workers were in the area on Jan. 8.
In a previous interview, Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera, chair of the city council’s environment committee, said the trash mound had long exceeded safety limits.
He said prolonged heavy rainfall likely weakened its stability, as accumulated waste absorbs water like a sponge.
Garganera explained that even mountains of soil and rock can experience landslides, and a mountain of garbage is even more prone to collapse.
The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in Central Visayas has ordered the immediate suspension of operations at the landfill after the deadly collapse.
Following a Jan. 9 site inspection, the EMB issued a cease-and-desist order against landfill operator Prime Integrated Waste Solutions Inc. for violations of EMB Memorandum Circular No. 2007-002. Operations are halted except for rescue, recovery and cleanup efforts. —WITH A REPORT FROM LEO UDTOHAN
