A catastrophic collapse at a landfill in Cebu City, central Philippines, has resulted in at least one death and over 30 people unaccounted for, sparking an intensive rescue effort and highlighting serious flaws in the nation’s waste management systems.
The disaster struck on Thursday afternoon at the Binaliw Landfill, when a massive pile of garbage suddenly slid, engulfing sanitation workers in tons of debris. A 22-year-old woman was confirmed dead, while at least 12 injured individuals were rescued and taken to hospitals. Most of those missing are thought to be workers present at the site during the incident.
Rescue operations are ongoing but hampered by the precarious instability of the waste mound. Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival emphasized the unique dangers, stating that the site differs from typical landslides, as digging from the top risks destabilizing lower layers and endangering anyone trapped.
Approximately 300 responders, from government bodies, emergency services, and volunteer groups, are involved, using excavators, fire trucks, ambulances, and specialized teams to cautiously probe the debris for survivors. Families of the missing gather nearby, enduring anxious waits amid reports of faint calls for help heard shortly after the collapse.
Investigations into the cause are underway, but officials have raised alarms about longstanding mismanagement. Councillor Joel Garganera noted that the facility falls short of sanitary landfill standards, functioning more like an open dump. Practices such as excavating soil from the waste hill and stacking new garbage atop it likely undermined its stability.
Spanning about 15 hectares, the Binaliw site handles waste for Cebu City, a key hub in the Visayas and surrounding areas. Like many urban centers in the Philippines, it struggles with surging waste volumes due to urbanization and inadequate alternatives.
The incident has intensified demands for better enforcement of environmental regulations, improved waste segregation, and safer disposal methods. For now, efforts center on locating the missing and averting additional tragedies in what has become one of Cebu City’s most devastating recent accidents
