What happened at the Binaliw Landfill in Cebu City?

A massive amount of garbage, estimated to be 20 stories high, collapsed, burying approximately 50 sanitation workers. At least four have died, and 34 are still missing.

When did the landfill collapse occur?

The collapse happened on Thursday, January 8, 2026, and rescue operations were ongoing on Saturday, January 10, 2026.

How dangerous are the rescue operations at the Philippines landfill?

Rescue operations are extremely dangerous due to the unstable and moving nature of the garbage mound, posing a risk of further collapse to rescuers.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Garbage Mountain Buries Philippines Landfill Workers

Garbage Mountain Buries Philippines Landfill Workers

10 Jan

•

Summary

At least four sanitation workers died when refuse toppled 20 storeys high.
Rescue efforts are ongoing but hampered by the unstable, moving landfill.
The landfill processes 1,000 tons of waste daily and serves multiple communities.

Garbage Mountain Buries Philippines Landfill Workers

Rescue workers continue to sift through tons of garbage following a catastrophic landfill collapse in Cebu City, Philippines, on January 8, 2026. The incident tragically claimed the lives of at least four sanitation employees, with 34 still unaccounted for as of January 10, 2026. Approximately 50 workers were buried when a massive amount of refuse, estimated to be 20 stories high, cascaded down.

Operations at the Binaliw Landfill are fraught with peril, as the site remains unstable and prone to further movement. Rescuers must periodically halt their efforts due to the shifting garbage and heavy debris, including steel, posing significant risks. So far, 12 employees have been pulled alive from the wreckage and are receiving hospital treatment. Information from the disaster zone has been challenging to obtain due to poor signal.