A landfill collapsed in Cebu City, Philippines, on Thursday, killing one and trapping dozens. The Binaliw Landfill gave way, burying workers under a mountain of rubbish. Rescuers pulled 12 injured sanitation workers from the debris; they are now hospitalized.
The collapse occurred at the privately-owned Binaliw Landfill. Authorities believe more than 30 people, many of them landfill workers, remain missing. Cebu City's mayor warned that further collapse is possible, complicating rescue efforts.
Approximately 300 personnel from government agencies and civilian groups are on site, utilizing excavators, ambulances, and fire trucks. Search and retrieval efforts are ongoing to locate the missing. Cebu City councillor Joel Garganera attributed the collapse to likely poor waste management practices.
Landfills are engineered sites designed for waste disposal, typically involving layers of compacted waste and soil. Proper management includes leachate collection systems and gas venting to prevent environmental contamination and structural instability. The cause of this collapse remains under investigation.
Authorities will continue search and rescue operations. A full investigation into the cause of the collapse and waste management practices at the Binaliw Landfill is expected.
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