Searching for survivors in the city of Maco in the Philippine province of Davao de Oro (Reuters)
A Philippine official said on Sunday that the death toll from the landslide that occurred in the south of the country has risen to 37, while rescue teams continue their work despite declining hopes of finding more survivors.
The landslide occurred on Tuesday evening outside a gold exploration site in the city of Maco in Davao de Oro province, destroying homes, three buses and a jeep that was supposed to transport employees of the Apex Mining Company.
Regarding casualty statistics, an official in Davao de Oro - named Edward Makabili - reported that 35 dead were reported, up from 28 earlier, and that the number of injured reached 32, while 77 people are still missing.
He added that more than 300 people were participating in the rescue operations, but the operations faced obstacles due to heavy rain, mud, and the possibility of more landslides.
Asked if there were still survivors, Makabele said it was "unlikely" but the search would continue.
"The rescue team is doing their best even if it is very difficult," the Davao de Oro official added.
This region has witnessed heavy rains in recent weeks, leading to floods and landslides.
Source: Reuters