Landslide in Davao de Oro kills 11, over 110 missing

A landslide struck Zone 1, Barangay Masara in Maco, Davao de Oro on Tuesday night, resulting in at least eleven confirmed deaths and over 110 missing individuals.

Rescue efforts have shifted from search and rescue to retrieval as the likelihood of finding more survivors has diminished; the death toll rose to eleven with additional bodies recovered by Thursday.

Local government units, military, and disaster teams continue deploying search and retrieval operations despite hazardous conditions; they have rescued 31 people but face ongoing threats.

The affected area was near a mining site but outside the mine operations' premises used as a vehicle terminal for buses and jeepneys servicing employees and community members when tragedy struck, burying two 60-seater buses and a passenger jeepney.

Classes were suspended throughout Maco municipality, and pre-emptive evacuations were ordered for residents near the Hijo River in neighboring Tagum City; around 1,166 families have been moved to evacuation centers as of Thursday afternoon.

According to officials, heavy rains triggered by multiple weather disturbances are believed to be responsible for the landslide that buried buses carrying workers from Apex Mining Company.

The local government has provided P190 million worth of assistance to affected families and remains ready to extend additional support.