Death Toll Rises After Cebu Trash Site Collapse Buries Workers

Rescue teams in the central Philippines are battling time and unstable ground after a massive trash heap collapse at a landfill outside Cebu City left at least four people dead and dozens feared trapped beneath tonnes of refuse.

The incident occurred on January 8 at the privately operated Binaliw Landfill, where a towering mound of garbage - estimated by local officials to be as high as a 20-storey building - suddenly gave way, burying sanitation workers and on-site facilities. About 50 landfill employees were believed to be in the affected area at the time.

By Saturday morning, hard hat-wearing rescuers, assisted by backhoes and heavy equipment, continued digging through debris under extremely dangerous conditions. Cebu rescuer Jo Reyes told AFP that operations have been repeatedly halted due to the constant movement of the landfill mass.

“From time to time, the landfill is still moving. We have to stop for the safety of our rescuers,” she said.

As of 10:00am local time, Cebu City councillor Joel Garganera confirmed that the death toll had risen to four, with 34 people still officially listed as missing. At least 12 workers have been pulled out alive and rushed to hospitals for treatment.

According to officials, several of the victims were inside staff housing structures located within the landfill complex when the collapse happened. Heavy steel components and compacted waste have made rescue efforts slow and hazardous.

“It’s extremely difficult for rescuers,” Garganera said. “The garbage keeps shifting under its own weight. But families are here, waiting. We’re hoping for miracles.”

The disaster has also exposed long-standing safety concerns. Garganera described the height of the trash mound as “alarming,” noting that garbage absorbs rainwater like a sponge, increasing the risk of collapse - especially during the wet season. Drivers had reportedly complained for years about navigating the steep access road leading to the top of the dump.

The landfill processes around 1,000 tonnes of municipal waste daily, serving Cebu City and surrounding communities. Its sudden shutdown poses a major challenge for local waste management, compounding the tragedy.

Incidents like the Cebu landfill collapse underscore how infrastructure, safety standards and regulatory oversight remain critical - not only for public services but also for broader urban resilience. For global cities focused on long-term sustainability, whether in Southeast Asia or hubs attracting foreign investors exploring business setup in dubai, disaster prevention and worker safety are increasingly central to planning decisions.

Search operations continue, with authorities urging caution as conditions remain unstable and communication from the site is hampered by weak signal coverage.