Garbage Mountain Collapse in Cebu Leaves Four Dead, Dozens Missing

A major landfill collapse in the central Philippines has left at least four people dead and dozens more missing, as rescue teams continue to work under dangerous and shifting conditions at the Binaliw Landfill in Cebu City. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon when a towering mass of refuse—estimated by local officials to be as high as a 20‑storey building—gave way and buried workers and on‑site structures beneath tons of debris.

Rising Death Toll and Ongoing Search

Authorities confirmed that four fatalities have been recorded so far, with at least 34 to 36 individuals still unaccounted for, depending on the latest tally from local officials. Twelve workers have been rescued alive and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Rescue operations remain complex and hazardous. Teams have reported that the landfill continues to shift, forcing intermittent pauses to protect rescuers from further collapse risks. Heavy steel debris and unstable garbage layers have slowed excavation efforts, prompting the deployment of a 50‑ton crane to assist in clearing the site safely.

Families Waiting, Hoping

Relatives of missing workers have gathered near the landfill, anxiously awaiting updates. Some have reported hearing that trapped individuals may still be calling for help beneath the rubble, fueling hopes that more survivors may yet be found. One woman, Jerahmey Espinoza, whose husband is missing, said the family remains hopeful despite the lack of contact since the collapse.

Possible Causes Under Investigation

Local authorities have begun investigating the cause of the collapse. Preliminary assessments suggest that ground instability may have been worsened by a 6.9‑magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu province in September, combined with heavy rainfall that could have weakened the landfill’s foundation by saturating the garbage layers.

Experts and city officials have long warned that garbage piles absorb water like a sponge, increasing the risk of sudden structural failure—especially in a region prone to landslides during rainy periods.

Impact on Cebu’s Waste Management

The Binaliw Landfill, operated by Prime Integrated Waste Solutions, is the primary waste processing facility for Cebu City and surrounding communities, handling roughly 1,000 tons of municipal waste daily. Its sudden shutdown has forced city officials to explore emergency alternatives for waste collection and disposal.

Echoes of Past Tragedies

The disaster has revived painful memories of the 2000 Payatas dumpsite collapse in Manila, which killed more than 200 people during monsoon rains—a reminder of the persistent risks associated with large‑scale waste facilities in the Philippines.

Survivor Accounts

Some workers narrowly escaped the collapse. One compactor operator, Rita Cogay, said she had stepped out for water moments before the building she was in was crushed. She initially thought a helicopter had crashed before realizing the garbage mound itself had collapsed onto the facility.