Landfill collapse in Philippines leaves 2 people dead, dozens missing
An aerial view of the scene of a collapsed landfill, where at least 38 people are trapped, in Binaliw, Cebu City, Philippines, on January 9, 2026. (Credit: Bureau of Fire Protection Cebu City / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
MANILA, Philippines - A massive garbage mound collapsed at a waste segregation facility in Cebu City, Philippines, killing two people, injuring a dozen and leaving 36 others missing, officials said Friday.
Thirteen people were rescued alive overnight, but one of them later died, authorities told the Associated Press. A second body was discovered later.
Landfill collapse in Philippines latest
What we know:
One of the people rescued, a female landfill worker, died while being transported to a hospital, regional police director Brig. Gen. Roderick Maranan told the AP. The rest survived with injuries and were hospitalized, Maranan added.
The body of a 25-year-old engineer, who worked in the facility, was recovered Friday afternoon, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said in a statement obtained by the AP.
Search and rescue efforts were continuing for at least 36 other people, who were reportedly trapped in the huge heap of garbage in the landfill.
The dead and missing were all workers in the landfill and waste management facility, officials said.
What they're saying:
"The city government assures the public and the families of those affected that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure safety, transparency, accountability and compassionate assistance as operations continue," Archival said.
Search and rescue efforts would proceed indefinitely at the facility, Archival and the Office of Civil Defense said. Pictures released by authorities showed rescuers with equipment scouring a building devastated in the garbage avalanche.
"All response teams remain fully engaged in search and retrieval efforts to locate the remaining missing persons with strict adherence to safety protocols," Archival said in a statement posted on Facebook.
The backstory:
Such landfills and open dumpsites have long been a source of safety and health concerns in many cities and towns in the Philippines.
In July 2000, a huge mound of garbage at a dumpsite in a shantytown in suburban Quezon City in metropolitan Manila collapsed after days of stormy weather and the avalanche also ignited a fire.
The disaster left more than 200 people dead and many more missing.
The Source: This story was reported from Los Angeles. The Associated Press contributed.