Sunday, January 11, 2026- Rescuers in the Philippines have detected signs of life amid the rubble after a massive avalanche of garbage collapsed at a landfill in Binaliw, Cebu City, killing at least four workers and leaving more than 30 people missing.
The landslide occurred at a waste segregation facility, burying low buildings and trapping workers under heaps of compacted trash. Twelve workers have been pulled out with injuries, and search efforts are intensifying as responders race against time to find survivors.
Dozens of police, firefighters, and disaster response teams are combing through the unstable debris, which includes twisted tin roofs, iron bars, and combustible refuse. Officials confirmed that detected signs of life were found in specific areas, prompting careful excavation and the deployment of a 50‑ton crane to aid in reaching trapped individuals.
Mayor Nestor Archival stressed that safety remains a top priority due to hazards like shifting debris and risks from landfill gases, and security perimeters have been adjusted to protect rescuers.
The identities of the dead include an engineer and a female office worker, all employees of the landfill’s 110‑person workforce. The collapse happened suddenly and without warning despite clear weather, according to a survivor who escaped by crawling through darkness.
Authorities have not yet released an updated count of missing people, and the cause of the incident remains unclear. The disaster has raised concerns about landfill safety and could disrupt garbage collection in the bustling port city.
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