Manila: The devastating landslide that struck a mining town in Davao de Oro province, southern Philippines, has now claimed the lives of 98 individuals, according to updates from the regional disaster prevention office.
Reported by the Maco Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office on Saturday, rescue operations persist as nine individuals remain missing, as reported by news agency.
The calamitous event unfolded on the evening of February 6 when incessant rainfall triggered a cascade of rocks, soil, and debris from the mountainside, obliterating homes and vehicles in its path. Among the casualties were miners commuting on two buses ferrying workers to and from a nearby mining operation in Maco town.
In addition to the tragic loss of life, 32 individuals sustained injuries as a result of the landslide. The World Risk Index 2022 has identified the Philippines as the top-ranked country for susceptibility to disasters. Positioned within the Pacific Ring of Fire, the archipelago is prone to a multitude of natural hazards, including powerful typhoons, flash floods, landslides, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.
