The Death Toll from Landslide in the Philippines Rises to 54

On Sunday, February 11, the Philippines reported that the death toll from the landslide in southern Philippines has reached 54 as more victims were found under the mud and debris. The landslide occurred on Tuesday night near a gold mine in the town of Mako in the province of Davao de Oro on Mindanao Island, burying vehicles transporting workers to the mine and surrounding homes. Local officials had previously reported the number of victims as 37, but confirmed the death of 54 people in an update on a Facebook post. According to officials, the fate of 63 people remains unknown, and 32 injuries have been confirmed so far. One provincial official stated that over three hundred rescuers participated in the rescue operation, but the efforts faced challenges due to heavy rain, thick mud, and the risk of further landslides. He mentioned that the rescue operations resumed on Sunday morning. On Saturday, the Philippine seismic agency announced that a 5.9 magnitude earthquake shook Mindanao Island. According to this agency, the earthquake, which occurred at a depth of 27 kilometers, did not cause any damage or casualties. However, officials stated that it halted rescue operations to find survivors of the landslide in the town of Mako. In response to the question of whether there are still survivors, the official said it is 'unlikely,' but the search will continue. Heavy rainfall in recent weeks has caused flooding and landslides in the Davao de Oro province.