16-2-2024 (MANILA) The aftermath of the devastating landslide in Maco continues to unfold as authorities confirm a staggering death toll of 92, with 36 individuals still missing, according to the Maco municipal government. The landslide, triggered by heavy rainfall on Feb. 6, buried critical structures, including a bus terminal for Apex Mining Co. employees, a barangay hall, and nearby residences.
As search operations persist to locate the missing individuals, the Maco municipal government disclosed the disheartening figures in a news release on Thursday evening.
The landslide severely impacted 1,315 families across four barangays in the Maco municipality, as reported by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). With the transition from search, rescue, and retrieval efforts to search and retrieval, the focus is on recovering those still unaccounted for.
The tragedy has prompted calls for an investigation into the large-scale mining operations of Apex Mining Co. by various groups, including environmental and farmers organizations. These groups emphasize that the majority of the victims were Apex Mining Co. workers.
Condemning the incident, the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment attributed the landslide to a “deadly combination” of the climate crisis and irresponsible business practices. As the community grapples with the aftermath, questions linger about accountability and the broader impact of such industrial activities on local populations and the environment.
