Philippines landfill disaster: Garbage mound collapses, 1 killed, dozens missing

A sudden collapse of a massive garbage mound at a landfill in Cebu City, Philippines , buried workers and nearby structures, killing one person, injuring several, and leaving 38 others missing , officials said Friday.

Dozens of rescuers worked through the night to pull 13 people alive from the debris, while emergency teams continued the search for those still trapped in the village of Binaliw . Victims included landfill workers, though it remains unclear if any nearby residents were affected.

Brig. Gen. Roderick Maranan , regional police director, said one female worker died while being transported to hospital, and the remaining survivors were hospitalized with injuries. Jaylord Antigua, a 31-year-old office worker at the landfill, described the collapse as sudden and terrifying. “I saw a light and crawled toward it in a hurry because I feared there would be more landslides,” he said. “It was traumatic. I feared that it was my end, so this is my second life.”

Cebu Mayor Nestor Archival said all response teams were fully engaged in locating the missing. “The city government assures the public and families that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure safety, transparency, accountability, and compassionate assistance,” he said. Images from the site showed rescuers using earth-moving equipment to navigate twisted tin roofs and collapsed iron beams of buildings devastated by the avalanche. Relatives waited anxiously as operations continued.

The landfill, which employs around 110 workers , contains facilities where recyclable waste is separated from rubbish. One of the buildings hit was a warehouse for sorting waste , though it remains unclear if nearby homes were affected. Authorities planned an emergency meeting Friday to review safety protocols and prevent further tragedies.

While shocking, such collapses are a known risk in poorly managed dumpsites, where loose piles of garbage, decomposing organic matter, and uneven terrain can suddenly give way. Even in good weather, mounds of waste can destabilize, putting workers and nearby communities in danger. Open landfills have long posed safety and health hazards, especially in poorer neighborhoods where residents scavenge through waste.

The Philippines has seen similar disasters in the past. In July 2000, a massive garbage mound in Quezon City collapsed after days of stormy weather, igniting fires and leaving more than 200 people dead or missing, destroying shanties, and prompting the government to enact laws requiring the closure of illegal dumpsites and stricter waste management. Authorities warned that, despite regulations, unsafe landfill practices continue, making vigilance and preventive measures critical to avoid repeat tragedies.

Safe landfill practices typically include proper site selection away from residential areas, engineered liners to prevent soil and water contamination, controlled leachate management, regular compaction and covering of waste, monitoring of methane gas emissions, and restricting the height of waste piles to prevent instability. Many countries also implement segregation of organic and hazardous waste to reduce risks.

In India, while regulations such as the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, exist, implementation remains uneven. Several landfills operate without engineered protections, proper leachate systems, or gas monitoring, raising concerns about safety, particularly during heavy rains or flooding. Experts stress that stricter enforcement of existing laws, regular monitoring, and community awareness are essential to prevent tragedies similar to those witnessed abroad.