CEBU CITY — The death toll from the tragic landslide at the Inayawan Sanitary Landfill in Cebu City climbed to six as of January 11, 2026, after two more bodies were recovered from the debris late Saturday night and early Sunday morning.
The victims were all informal garbage scavengers who were buried alive when a massive section of the waste pile collapsed on January 8. Rescue teams from the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and volunteers have been working non-stop, using heavy equipment and manual digging to search for the remaining missing persons.
Updated Casualty Summary (as of Jan 11, 2026)
- Total Dead: 6 (all garbage collectors/scavengers)
- Injured: At least 3 (hospitalized with fractures, lacerations, and crush injuries)
- Still Missing: 2 (search operations ongoing)
- Ages of Victims: Ranging from 30s to 50s; majority male
The landfill, officially closed since 2016, has been the site of repeated safety violations due to continued illegal scavenging. City officials have repeatedly warned against the activity, but poverty and lack of alternative livelihoods have driven people back to the site.
Official Responses
- Mayor Michael Rama: “This is a heartbreaking tragedy. We are doing everything to recover the remaining victims. We will hold accountable those responsible for allowing illegal scavenging to persist.”
- DENR Regional Office: Launching an immediate investigation into the structural stability of the closed landfill and potential environmental law violations.
- DSWD: Providing psychosocial support and emergency assistance to the families of the victims.
The incident has reignited calls for stricter enforcement against illegal waste picking, better livelihood programs for informal waste workers, and the safe closure/rehabilitation of old dumpsites nationwide.
Here are photos from the ongoing search operations, the collapsed waste pile, and the somber scene at the site.
Our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. May justice be served and meaningful reforms follow to prevent future tragedies.