Death Toll Rises to 68 in Southern Philippines Landslide
Davao de Oro, The Gulf Observer: The death toll from a devastating landslide in the southern Philippines has reached 68, according to officials on Monday, who expressed concerns that the window for finding more survivors is narrowing. The landslide occurred on February 6 outside a gold mine in Maco town, Davao de Oro province, burying homes and vehicles intended for transporting mining company employees.
Rescue teams are actively searching for 51 individuals still missing in the aftermath of the tragic event. The landslide was triggered by torrential rains that have battered Davao de Oro in recent weeks, leading to widespread floods and landslides and forcing numerous families to evacuate their homes.
Ariel Capoy, the disaster officer in Maco town, announced that starting on Tuesday, authorities plan to transition their efforts from search and rescue to search and retrieval, recognizing the challenging conditions and the urgency of the situation.
In response to the humanitarian crisis, the United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing $1.25 million in aid to support the affected communities in the southern islands, as stated by the U.S. embassy in Manila. Additionally, the U.S. Defense Department has dispatched two C-130 cargo planes to facilitate the delivery of essential food packs to the affected areas.
The landslide has prompted a multi-agency response, with local authorities and international aid organizations collaborating to address the immediate needs of the affected population and manage the ongoing emergency.
