MANILA: The death toll from a landslide in the southern Philippines has risen to 54, the provincial government said Sunday, as rescue workers dug more bodies out of the mud.
A landslide hit near a gold mine in Maco town in Davao de Oro province on Tuesday evening, burying houses and vehicles transporting workers to a site operated by Apex Mining APX.PS.
The provincial government of Davao de Oro said in a Facebook post that 54 people died in the landslide, raising the previous death toll to 37, as rescuers found more bodies.
The number of people missing stood at 63, with the provincial government saying the number remained unverified. A total of 32 people were injured in the landslide.
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Edward Macapili, an official in Davao de Oro, said more than 300 people were involved in the rescue, but heavy rain, thick mud and the threat of more landslides hampered operations. Rescue work resumed on Sunday morning, Macapili said.
When asked if there were still survivors, Macapili said it was already “unlikely” but the search would continue.
“The rescue team is doing what they can, although it is very difficult,” Macapili said by phone.
Davao de Oro has been battered by torrential rains in recent weeks that have triggered floods and landslides.
