Cebu landfill collapse death toll now at 19

CEBU, Philippines – At least 19 people have died while 17 remain missing after the January 8 landslide at the Binaliw landfill in Cebu City, Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak told reporters on Wednesday afternoon, January 14.

According to Tumulak, chairman of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (CDRRM) Council, the body of a 40-year-old male worker was found in the back portion of the landfill at around 3:15 pm that day.

Authorities have so far rescued 18 people who were brought to the hospital for treatment of their injuries. Tumulak said that rescue operations continue.

“It’s possible that we will be able to retrieve more [people] now because we have gradually taken out the debris,” Tumulak said in a mix of English and Cebuano.

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said in a press conference on Monday, January 12, that rescue operations at the site of the Binaliw landfill still continue as detection machines detected signs of life in the area.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR 7) issued a cease-and-desist order on Monday against the landfill’s operator, Prime Waste Solutions Cebu (PWSC).

Landfill operator’s statement

PWSC, in a statement sent to Rappler, said that immediately after the incident, the company’s emergency response team, the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and other concerned agencies carried out retrieval operations at the site of the landslide.

Citing initial assessment from city officials and experts, PWSC said that the landslide was likely triggered by “a combination of seismic events and frequent rains.”

On September 30, 2025, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit northern parts of Cebu, and in early November, Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) brought heavy rainfall to multiple parts of the province.

“PWS Cebu conducts regular inspections of its landfill cells, and prior to the Thursday incident, the affected cell did not bear any visual signs of weakening, such as cracks and irregular leachate outflows,” the landfill operator said. 

DENR 7’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau conducted a site investigation after the incident, based on a January 9 situation report. Their findings noted that the possible reasons for the collapse were oversaturation of the landfill due to periodic rainfall, probable lapses in geotechnical or engineering consideration for the landfill stockpiles, and the landfill’s location.

PWSC highlighted in their statement that they were working with experts and authorities for a comprehensive investigation into the issue. 

Tumulak confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that they received the company’s official list of employees, the details of the four sub-contractors who were present at the incident, and the tally of workers who are safe from the landslide.

PWSC, in their statement, clarified that they had provided financial assistance and psychosocial services to the families of affected employees, and covered the medical expenses of those injured, and funeral and burial costs of the deceased.

 “The company is fully complying with the cease-and-desist order issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),” the landfill operator added. – Rappler.com