Volunteers and miners dig for survivors

Manila: At least 25 people were killed while 150 others remain missing following a landslide at a gold rush site in southern Philippines' Compostella Valley province.

Official reports reaching Manila said a landslide occurred yesterday at the sub-village of Diat 1 and Diat 2 in the village of Pantukan on Mindanao island around 3am due to continuous rain in the area.

"The rains loosened the ground and caused the landslide as the people slept," a municipal officer said.

Initial assessment conducted by regional civil defence officials said 25 people were confirmed dead while 15 others were injured.

According to reports, the landslide buried an area measuring nearly a hectare.

The affected areas are used by miners panning for gold and it is believed that the heavy continuous rains had caused the numerous illegal mines in Pantukan to cave in. "The officials in Pantukan has declared the municipality under a state of calamity," the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)/Office of the Civil Defence said.

The NDRRMC said rescue teams from the regional police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines have been deployed in the area to look for survivors. In the meantime, the affected areas are being dug manually by volunteers — mostly miners in the area and the local mining firm Apex — as heavy earth-moving equipment is yet to arrive.

It added that the authorities expect a huge number of fatalities.

"Local Department of Health officials have facilitated the provision of 150 cadaver bags as requested by regional health authorities," the agency said.

Secretary Luwalhati Antonino Chair, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) meanwhile, supported the move of Compostela Valley Governor Arturo Uy ordering forced evacuation for residents in similarly situated landslide -prone areas in the province as a preventive measure. Palace Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the interior department was looking at possible lapses committed by firms and officials that may have led to the tragedy.