MANILA: The death toll from a devastating landslide that struck a gold-mining village in the southern Philippines climbed to 68 on Monday, as authorities declared an end to the search for survivors amid grim conditions.
Officials reported that hundreds of rescuers had tirelessly worked for nearly a week, utilizing various tools and heavy machinery to search through the debris in Masara village on Mindanao island. However, with more bodies recovered on Monday, including over a dozen, and 51 people still missing, hopes of finding survivors faded.
Edward Macapili, spokesman for the Davao de Oro provincial disaster office stated, “It is almost a week after the incident and… we are assuming that no one is alive there.” He further emphasized the urgency to expedite the retrieval efforts as a foul smell began to permeate the area.
Search Operation After Philippines Landslide
Despite the ongoing challenges, authorities remain committed to the search, with a significant portion of the debris yet to be thoroughly examined. The landslide, triggered by heavy rainfall, buried several vehicles and dozens of houses, leaving 32 people injured in addition to those who perished.
One glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy emerged on Friday when rescuers miraculously rescued a three-year-old girl from the rubble.
The incident underscores the frequent hazards faced by communities in the Philippines due to its mountainous terrain, deforestation, and heavy rainfall. Landslides, floods, and earthquakes have become recurring threats, displacing tens of thousands of people and causing widespread destruction.
