What began as a normal workday at a landfill in the central Philippines turned into a nightmare in seconds.
A towering pile of rubbish collapsed in Cebu City on Thursday, killing a 22-year-old woman and leaving more than 30 people missing.
Rescue teams managed to pull 12 injured sanitation workers from the debris, rushing them to hospital.
But hopes of finding more survivors are fading. “This isn’t a typical landslide,” Cebu Mayor Nestor Archival warned.
“If you remove debris from the top, the bottom is unstable. It could make things worse.”
Around 300 responders — from firefighters to civilian volunteers — are now combing the Binaliw landfill.
Waste Site Danger
They are supported by excavators, ambulances and fire trucks.
The challenge? The ground beneath the waste is soft and shifting, raising fears of another collapse.
While the exact cause is still under investigation, city councillor Joel Garganera didn’t mince words.
“It’s not a sanitary landfill anymore. It’s an open dumpsite,” he said, blaming years of poor waste management and unsafe practices.
Nearby, families wait anxiously. ““They say people trapped are still calling for help,” said Michelle Lumapas.
Her brother is missing. “So I’m holding on to hope.”
A mountain of trash gave way — and exposed a much bigger problem beneath.
