Search operations continue in the city of Cebu in the Philippines following a tragic incident where a massive amount of garbage collapsed at a landfill. According to the publication BILD, the latest reports indicate that at least eight people have died, and 28 individuals are still reported missing. Rescue operations have been ongoing for two days, but the chances of finding survivors are decreasing with each passing hour.
According to Cebu Mayor Nestor Archival, rescue efforts are still underway. It is noted that most of the deceased were workers at the landfill, near which makeshift homes were located.
At least one person managed to escape: 31-year-old office worker Jailord Antigua was in the administrative building when a mass of waste collapsed on him. He was able to get out on his own.
“I saw the light and quickly crawled towards it because I was afraid of further collapses. It was terrifying. I thought it was the end, so now I feel like I’ve been given a second life,” Antigua shared his feelings in an interview with the Associated Press.
The causes of this incident have not yet been determined. However, preliminary investigations suggest that the landslide may have been triggered by prolonged rains, which caused the soil at the landfill to become saturated and the multi-meter layer of garbage to lose its stability.
