Foreign embassies send condolences after 98 died in Davao de Oro landslide

Rescuers carry the body of a victim in the landslide at Masara, Maco, Davao de Oro on February 10, 2024 as search operations continue to find missing persons. (Photo from FRINSTON LIM)

MANILA, Philippines — United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expressed its condolences to Filipinos following the deadly landslide in Maco town in Davao de Oro on February 6.

The catastrophe killed 98 people.

“In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) expressed its sincere condolences to the government and people of the Philippines, and to the families of the victims, as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery for all the injured,” the foreign ministry in UAE said in a post on its website on Saturday.

Previously, the Embassy of the Republic of Turkiye also sent its message of sympathy to the landslide victims.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the relatives of those who lost their lives and to the friendly People and Government of the Philippines, wish speedy recovery to those injured, and hope that the missing will be safely found soon,” it said.

Turkey also said it is ready to assist Filipinos “in any way” it can.

United States government, on the other hand, said it is providing about P70 million in humanitarian aid.

The fund is meant to be given communities affected by climate-related crises in Mindanao.

On Saturday, Maco local government reported the number of missing persons in the aftermath of the landslide was down to nine.

The figure came as its teams continued to retrieve bodies from the landslide-hit mining village.

Environment and human rights groups have pushed for an independent and swift investigation on the operations of a large-scale mining facility in Maco.

They suspect the operations caused the disintegration of the integrity of the soil, thus, resulting in the disaster.