They’re fickle things, they are. There’s been a massive mudslide in the Philippines recently, so massive that it damn near buried an entire town. The projected number of casualties has varied greatly from news source to news source (remember the ridiculous count they had going for hurricane Katrina?), but it might be really bad. I just wonder if this will get any coverage on the news here at home.
Hundreds Feared Dead After Philippines Landslide
Officials fear the death toll could be as high as 1,800 after a wall of mud buried an entire farming village in the eastern Philippines on Friday.
“There are no signs of life, no rooftops, no nothing,” Southern Leyte province Gov. Rosette Lerias said of Guinsaugon, once a community of 2,500 people, located 675 kilometres southeast of Manila.
At least 23 people are confirmed dead and 57 survivors have been found, in the latest numbers that were confirmed after night fell, forcing the suspension of rescue efforts.
However, a military official told The Associated Press he feared as many as 1,800 were dead.
An elementary school and an estimated 500 houses in the village of Guinsaugon village in St. Bernard town on the southern part of Leyte island are believed to have been completely buried in the landslide.
The landslide happened between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., when the school was in session.
About 100 members of a women’s group were also visiting the village at the time of the landslide.
Two other villages were also affected, forcing about 3,000 people to seek shelter at a municipal hall.
Possible causes
The landslide follows two weeks of nonstop downpours that dumped 27 inches of rain.
Officials believe a small earthquake could have been the final straw, loosening the rain soaked soil and causing part of a mountain to collapse onto the village.
“The people said the ground suddenly shook, then a part of the mountain collapsed onto the village,” Army Capt. Edmund Abella told The Associated Press by cell phone.
However scientists said it took place after the landslide and probably was unrelated.
Still others blamed illegal logging efforts.
Pat Vendetti, a London-based campaigner with the Greenpeace environmental action group, said the landslide has raised fresh questions about the impact of deforestation on the area, which is prone to severe landslide and flashfloods.
“There were similar landslides at the end of 2004 and the end of 2003, both directly linked to illegal logging on land above villages, and both in the Philippines,” said Vendetti.
However, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies blamed a combination of the weather and the type of trees found in the area.
“The remote coastal area of southern Leyte … is heavily forested with coconut trees,” the Red Cross said from Geneva. “They have shallow roots, which can be easily dislodged after heavy rains, causing the land to become unstable.
Rescue efforts
Rescue workers used shovels to dig for survivors in deep mud — up to nine metres deep in some areas — but there appeared to be little hope for finding anyone alive.
“We did not find injured people,” Ricky Estela, who flew on a private helicopter to the area, told AP. “Most of them are dead and beneath the mud.”
Philippine President Gloria Arroyo ordered the coast guard and navy to the remote area.
“Help is on the way,” she promised survivors. “You will soon be out of harm’s way.”
The Philippine Red Cross had 14 people on the ground dealing with rescue efforts and the recovery of bodies. More staff and trained volunteers were being sent to the region, along with dog rescue teams.
A relief plane was flying from Manila carrying 1,000 body bags, emergency trauma kits to help 1,000 people, rubber boots, ropes, clothing, flashlights and medicine.
The international Red Cross launched an emergency appeal for $1.5 million for relief operations.
Many of the roads and bridges have been wiped out, making it hard for crews to get to the area.
In 1991, about 6,000 people were killed on Leyte in floods and landslides triggered by a tropical storm.
Concern from abroad
Meanwhile, half a world away, Filipino Canadians woke to the tragic news and spend much of the day glued to their television sets for news.
What we can do is just pray for those who passed away and maybe help those who are living,” said Mel Caguiat of the Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians.
Monina Lim-Serrano, president of the Federation of Filipino-Canadians says she is “devastated also knowing these people were buried alive.”
Lim-Serrano says the Filipino community is organizing a major relief effort and fundraising drive, but she wishes she could do more.
Meanwhile, the federal government continues to monitor the situation. So far, Ottawa has not promised any financial assistance.
Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay offered his condolences on behalf of Canadians.
“Canada stands ready to assist the government and people of the Philippines,” MacKay said in a written statement.
“Although no Canadians are known to be among the victims at this time, I have instructed Canadian officials to continue monitoring the situation and to provide emergency consular assistance in the area.”
With files from The Associated Press and a report from CTV’s Peter Murphy