A devastating landslide triggered by heavy rains struck a southern Philippine province, resulting in the burial of two buses and injuries to at least 11 people. The incident occurred on Tuesday night outside a gold mining site in the town of Maco, situated in the province of Davao de Oro. The buses were in the process of picking up employees when disaster struck.

The landslide, fueled by relentless rainfall, engulfed the buses, leaving passengers trapped beneath the debris. As of now, it remains unclear how many passengers were on board the ill-fated buses. The mining operator, Apex Mining, confirmed the incident in a statement. Among the injured, one person is in critical condition and has been rushed to a nearby hospital. Maco town’s disaster agency promptly responded to the emergency, coordinating rescue efforts and providing medical assistance.

In response to the calamity, the disaster agency issued evacuation orders for five villages in Maco. The affected area lies on the island of Mindanao, which has experienced heavy rains due to a northeast monsoon and a trough of low pressure from January 28 to February 2. These adverse weather conditions have led to deadly floods and landslides across the region, exacerbating the situation.

Despite the challenging circumstances, rescue teams persistently work to locate survivors and retrieve those trapped in the landslide. The incident highlights the vulnerability of communities in landslide-prone regions and underscores the importance of disaster preparedness and early warning systems. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and provide necessary aid to those affected.

BOB Post