Devastating landslide in Davao de Oro has resulted in 98 fatalities

The casualty count from the landslide in Maco, Davao de Oro continues to climb, with government officials conceding that there is little hope of finding survivors amidst the debris.

An update provided by the local government of Maco on Saturday revealed a grim estimate of nearly a hundred individuals who lost their lives in the tragedy, which engulfed numerous workers from a nearby mining facility.

Lea Añora, a member of the Management of the Dead and the Missing (MDM) unit, reported in a press briefing that as of 12 noon, a total of 98 bodies had been recovered, comprising both complete remains and body parts. Of these, 88 were intact bodies, while 10 were fragments. Additionally, 79 of the deceased have been identified, leaving 18 bodies still awaiting identification.

Furthermore, nine residents remain unaccounted for, with efforts underway to confirm the identity of one of the missing individuals.

The missing individuals are from various locations, including four from the immediate community, four from Maria-Socio General Services Inc. (MSGSI), and one from Apex Mining.

The landslide, which occurred in Barangay Masara on February 6, was triggered by heavy rains brought by the northeast monsoon and a low-pressure area affecting the Davao Region.

Jerome Adonis, the secretary-general of activist labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), has called for an investigation into the incident to determine the extent of Apex Mining Corp.’s responsibility for the deaths.

Despite the tragedy, there have been miraculous rescues, including a 2-month-old infant and a 3-year-old child who were saved nearly 60 hours after the landslide. Additionally, efforts have been made to rescue animals affected by the disaster, with dogs and chickens among those successfully retrieved.

News: Devastating landslide in Davao de Oro has resulted in 98 fatalities