21 still missing in south Philippine landslide

[News_Editor]

21 still missing in south Philippine landslide

2011-04-23 21:34:36 GMT+7 (ICT)

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (BNO NEWS) -- Philippine rescuers on Saturday continue searching for 21 people missing in a landslide in Compostela Valley in the country's southern region, the Manila Bulletin reported.

Rescuers have to dig through thick mud to find more survivors from mining tunnels that were buried by tons of rocks and mud, as thick as 16 feet (4.9 meters). Senior Superintendent Aaron Aquino, director of the Compostela Valley police, said 21 people are believed to have been trapped.

The landslide occurred at around 2:30 a.m. local time on Friday at the small mining community of Purok Side B, Sitio Panganason, Barangay Kingking, located in Pantukan, Compostela Valley, which is in the small island of Mindanao. The landslide was caused by heavy rains that hit the area overnight.

Mud and rocks buried houses, which mostly belong to local miners. In addition, access to mining tunnels collapsed.

Two more people were saved Saturday, bringing to 11 the number of miners saved. President Benigno Aquino said the two survivors could be among those who were able to run and reached the areas which were not totally buried by rocks and mud.

Heavy equipment needed to take out the tons of mud and rocks have not reached the landslide site as of Saturday. Aquino said they were told that various types of heavy equipment is already on their way, but said it is difficult to reach the landslide site due to narrow roads.

Barangay Kingking is said to be rich in gold and copper-gold and is reported to be an area where small-scale mining operations occur.

Pantukan Mayor Celso Sarena said miners in the small community had been previously warned as the zone had been declared a danger zone due to possible landslides, adding that small-scale mining activities in the upper area were illegal.

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