The death toll in a collapsed landfill in the central Philippines has risen to 11, authorities said, as hopes of finding survivors dim.
The landslide occurred at the Binaliw landfill in Cebu City last week while more than 100 workers were on site, officials said.
Rescuers have so far pulled 12 injured people out of the debris, but more than 20 people still remain missing. One local fire official had earlier told AFP that it was unlikely for people to still be alive three days after tons of debris and trash had collapsed over them.
The incident has sparked calls for an investigation into the cause of the collapse and a review of the country's waste management system.
Environment authorities have since ordered Prime Integrated Waste Solutions, Inc., the landfill's operator, to suspend its activities at the site.
The company must submit a compliance plan within 90 days, the local Department of Environment and Natural Resources said in a statement on Monday.
The department also indicated it would conduct an investigation into the cause of the collapse and hold responsible parties accountable.
Lawmakers have called for reviews of the country's waste management system and working conditions of waste workers.
This should have never happened, Senator Imee Marcos said as she requested an investigation into the Binaliw landfill's operations. We have seen similar tragedies before, yet the same dangers persist.
Bienvinido Ranido, a nearby resident whose wife worked at the landfill, recounted witnessing the disaster unfold and highlighted the urgency for reforms. He described the panic and chaos as garbage engulfed the area.
While authorities investigate the incident, preliminary reports suggest continuous rainfall in recent weeks may have contributed to the collapse due to added weight from the wet garbage.
Landfills are common in major Philippine cities like Cebu, which serves as a key trading center and transportation gateway in the Visayas region.
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