38 still missing in collapsed Binaliw landfill
CEBU CITY — Search, rescue, and retrieval operations remain underway following the collapse of the Binaliw landfill here on Thursday afternoon, leaving one person dead and 38 still missing.
The collapse brought down a building used by landfill management and staff.
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said that the incident happened at 4:17 p.m. and affected 110 employees at the landfill.
READ: 1 killed in landslide at Cebu City landfill
As of 7:20 a.m. on Friday, 12 employees have been retrieved and rushed to hospitals, 38 individuals remain missing, and one fatality has been confirmed.
The fatality was identified as a 22-year-old woman.
Of the 12 victims in the hospitals, seven were admitted at the Visayas Medical Center, while five were brought to North General Hospital. Authorities said continuous medical care is being provided to all patients.
Archival said all response teams remain fully engaged in focused search and retrieval efforts, with strict safety protocols in place as operations continue amid challenging conditions.
The mayor explained that based on the assessment of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) of the situation, it is difficult to directly lift the debris because doing so could further crush or endanger the victims who are still trapped inside the downed building.
“We have already provided oxygen. For now, we are making sure not to rush because the ground underneath is unstable, and the steel structures could collapse further, which might trap them even more. What we are doing is carefully and gradually removing the debris that has fallen, starting from the sides,” Archival said as he explained the situation to the families of the victims who went to the area.
Archival assured the families that rescue operations are being conducted 24/7 in an effort to save those still trapped under the rubble.
Multi-agency support has been deployed on the ground to assist in the ongoing rescue operations.
To support the families and relatives of the affected employees, Archival said it will set up tents and shaded areas at the site to provide shelter and assistance.
“Dedicated personnel have also been assigned to give hourly updates to families to ensure timely, accurate, and transparent information,” Archival added.
An inter-agency meeting is scheduled at 9:00 a.m. Friday at the site, involving the city government, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7), Cebu City Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), rescue teams, and landfill management.
The meeting aims to assess the situation and determine both immediate and long-term actions./coa
