Death toll rises after Philippines site collapse buries dozens

January 10, 2026 / 9:44 AM

Sharjah24-AFP: Rescue teams continued digging through rubble at a landfill site in the central Philippines on Saturday, after a massive garbage collapse buried dozens of workers, killing at least four and leaving many others missing.

The incident occurred at the privately operated Binaliw Landfill in Cebu City, where around 50 sanitation workers were reportedly buried on Thursday when a towering pile of refuse collapsed. City officials estimated the mound stood at a height equivalent to 20 storeys.

Dangerous conditions slow rescue efforts

Rescuers face ongoing danger from further collapses as they work through unstable debris. Cebu rescuer Jo Reyes said operations have been repeatedly paused because shifting garbage threatens the safety of search teams. Limited mobile signal at the site has also slowed the flow of information.

As of Saturday morning, Cebu City councillor Joel Garganera confirmed that four bodies had been recovered and that 34 people remained missing. He said many workers had been staying in staff housing within the facility when the collapse occurred.

Survivors and growing concerns

At least 12 workers have been rescued alive and taken to hospital. Garganera described the rescue conditions as extremely difficult due to heavy steel debris and the constant movement of waste caused by the sheer weight of the landfill.

The disaster has raised concerns about landfill safety, particularly during heavy rain. The site, operated by Prime Integrated Waste Solutions, processes around 1,000 tonnes of municipal waste daily and serves Cebu and surrounding communities.