Cebu city: The death toll from a landslide at a material recovery facility (MRF) in Barangay Binaliw in Cebu City has risen to eight, with 28 still missing and 12 others recovering from injuries in hospitals. In a radio interview on Monday, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. stated that a formal investigation into the incident has yet to commence. However, he mentioned that the city government is already examining the potential causes of the deadly landslide.

According to Philippine News Agency, the facility, operated by Prime Solutions, occupies a 20-hectare site that includes a 3-hectare landfill. The landslide struck the building used for sorting, offices, and a cluster home. Mayor Archival indicated that the city government suspects heavy rainfall caused garbage piles on a slope to saturate and destabilize, triggering the collapse.

Mayor Archival explained that the landslide occurred during good weather conditions at around 4 o'clock, which led to suspicions that the ground was altered, potentially due to movement in the east ground. He also mentioned that an earthquake in September and a series of typhoons may have contributed to the landfill collapse.

The mayor described how rainwater might have percolated into the ground, causing the area to destabilize, likening the garbage to a sponge absorbing water. As a result, the landfill has been closed, and the city is coordinating with nearby facilities and transfer stations to manage waste collection while rescue and retrieval operations continue.

Mayor Archival emphasized that the city government is focused on rescuing those still trapped, with 28 individuals remaining unaccounted for. He stated that they are currently concentrating on rescue efforts and will decide on moving to the retrieval phase soon.