Dozens killed, missing in Philippine landslide

Photos released by the 10th Infantry Division to the Mindanao Examiner.

DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 5, 2012) – A landslide Thursday at a gold mining site in the southern Philippines have killed at least 25 people and over 100 more are feared dead after being buried alive, officials said.

Government troops were sent to the town of Pantukanin Compostela Valley to help in rescue operations, said Army Captain Rosa Maria Cristina Manuel, of the 10^th Infantry Division.

“One helicopter from the Philippine Air Force was dispatched to augment search and rescue operations in the area. We have sent many troops in the site to help in the operation,” she said, adding dozens of houses were also destroyed from the landslide.

She said 7 trucks were also sent to recover the dead bodies.

The landslide struck the village of Napnapanwhere small scale miners have operated the past years despite repeated government warnings to stay away from the area due to dangers pose by illegal tunnels and erosion.

Governor Arturo Uy said the landslide occurred at around 3 a.m. burying many houses in the mining area called Diat 1. (Mindanao Examiner)