Cebu City, Philippines — January 17, 2026
The number of fatalities in the massive garbage landslide at the Binaliw Landfill in Cebu City has climbed to 35, after three more bodies were recovered on Saturday afternoon.
According to Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak, two bodies were found at around 2:53 p.m., followed by another discovery at 3:10 p.m. Authorities have yet to confirm the identities of the latest victims.
One individual remains missing, and search and retrieval operations continue despite challenging conditions in the area.
A total of 18 people were injured during the incident, all of whom were immediately brought to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The disaster occurred on January 8, when an estimated 20-story pile of waste collapsed, burying several workers within the landfill premises. Emergency teams and volunteers have been working nonstop to locate missing individuals and secure the site.
In response to the tragedy, the Cebu City Council declared January 16 as a Day of Mourning and placed the city under a state of calamity. This move authorizes the release of a ₱30 million quick response fund to support waste management services, rescue operations, and assistance for affected families.
The landfill operator, Prime Integrated Waste Solutions Inc., stated that preliminary evaluations by city officials and experts suggest the landslide may have been triggered by a combination of factors—including the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in September 2025, its subsequent aftershocks, and continuous heavy rainfall brought by Tropical Storm Tino.
The company added that it has already extended financial aid and psychosocial support to the families of the deceased and injured employees. They also assured the public that they are covering medical expenses, as well as funeral and burial costs of those who lost their lives.
Investigations and stabilization efforts at the landfill are ongoing as communities continue to grieve the heavy loss.