Philippines: Death toll in Davao de Oro landslide climbs to 54
MANILA, Philippines — The number of people killed in a landslide that hit Maco, Davao de Oro on February 6, has climbed to 54, according to the provincial government of Davao de Oro. In a Facebook post on Sunday night, the provincial government reported that the Maco Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) had recovered 54 bodies as of 7 p.m. The post further said the number of injured likewise rose from 31 to 36. Meanwhile, the number of missing persons decreased from 83 previously reported by the national police to 63. According to the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), the landslide affected several buses carrying 86 employees of Apex Mines. A few hours later, on the morning of February 9, EastMinCom reported that 45 people had been rescued. In another development, at least 19 bodies have been recovered by rescuers at a landslide-hit village. Sunday’s tally was the biggest single-day recovery of bodies since Feb 7, when the first casualties had been confirmed following the disaster that wiped out over 10 hectares of land in Zone 1, Masara village. The other double-digit cadaver recoveries happened when 16 bodies were pulled under tons of debris on Friday. Also on Sunday, Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian visited the disaster area and saw the continuing search operations. Gatchalian extended financial assistance to the families of the victims, as well as relief packages to the evacuees. With reports from Inquirer Mindanao