Search Underway for 27 Miners Missing in Southern Philippines Landslide

A frantic search effort is underway in the southern Philippines for 27 miners who went missing after a devastating landslide struck a gold-mining village. Officials in Davao de Oro province reported that the landslide hit Masara village, engulfing buses and homes, and leaving 11 residents injured. Miraculously, eight miners managed to escape by jumping out of bus windows or fleeing before the landslide struck.

The incident occurred rapidly, catching the victims off guard despite clear weather conditions in the preceding days. Efforts to assess the situation and locate the missing individuals have been challenged by impassable roads and poor communication lines in the remote area.

Despite these obstacles, the military, police, and local villagers have resumed search operations after suspending them due to darkness and the risk of additional landslides. Meanwhile, around 600 villagers from the affected area have been evacuated to safer locations. The landslide adds to a series of natural disasters in the region, including earthquakes and flooding, which have claimed numerous lives in recent months.

Last month, another landslide in Monkayo town resulted in the deaths of 10 people, underscoring the ongoing threat posed by environmental hazards in the area.