REGIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Binaliw Landfill Collapse: 22 Dead, 14 Still Missing As Rescue Efforts Continue
Photo credit: BFP R7 Cebu City FS
CEBU CITY — Search, rescue, and retrieval operations are ongoing at the Binaliw landfill in Cebu City days after a massive garbage slide buried workers and nearby structures, leaving at least 22 people dead and 14 others still missing, authorities said.
As of 12:00 noon on January 15, 2026, officials confirmed that recovery teams continue to work in extremely dangerous conditions, with the missing believed to be trapped beneath unstable piles of waste.
The tragedy occurred on January 8 when a large portion of the landfill in Barangay Binaliw collapsed, sending tons of garbage downhill during daytime operations. Workers at the site were caught off guard as the mound gave way, triggering one of the deadliest landfill accidents in the city’s history.
Emergency responders from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and volunteer groups were immediately deployed. Operations have been hampered by shifting debris, unstable terrain, and the risk of methane gas buildup, forcing rescuers to proceed with extreme caution.
Authorities earlier said possible signs of life were detected beneath the debris during the initial days of the operation, prompting careful excavation. However, no additional survivors have been confirmed as of the latest update.
In response to the disaster, the Cebu City government declared a state of calamity, allowing the release of emergency funds and faster mobilization of resources. City officials have also declared a day of mourning to honor those who lost their lives.
Beyond the ongoing rescue efforts, the incident has renewed scrutiny over landfill safety standards, waste management practices, and the protection of workers in high-risk environments. Government agencies have indicated that a full investigation will be conducted once search and retrieval operations are concluded.
For now, rescue teams remain focused on locating the missing and recovering victims, as families wait anxiously for answers and closure following the tragedy.
As of 12:00 noon on January 15, 2026, officials confirmed that recovery teams continue to work in extremely dangerous conditions, with the missing believed to be trapped beneath unstable piles of waste.
The tragedy occurred on January 8 when a large portion of the landfill in Barangay Binaliw collapsed, sending tons of garbage downhill during daytime operations. Workers at the site were caught off guard as the mound gave way, triggering one of the deadliest landfill accidents in the city’s history.
Emergency responders from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and volunteer groups were immediately deployed. Operations have been hampered by shifting debris, unstable terrain, and the risk of methane gas buildup, forcing rescuers to proceed with extreme caution.
Authorities earlier said possible signs of life were detected beneath the debris during the initial days of the operation, prompting careful excavation. However, no additional survivors have been confirmed as of the latest update.
In response to the disaster, the Cebu City government declared a state of calamity, allowing the release of emergency funds and faster mobilization of resources. City officials have also declared a day of mourning to honor those who lost their lives.
Beyond the ongoing rescue efforts, the incident has renewed scrutiny over landfill safety standards, waste management practices, and the protection of workers in high-risk environments. Government agencies have indicated that a full investigation will be conducted once search and retrieval operations are concluded.
For now, rescue teams remain focused on locating the missing and recovering victims, as families wait anxiously for answers and closure following the tragedy.
New Paragraph
Jan 15, 2026
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