Search and retrieval efforts at the site of a devastating trash slide in Cebu City have concluded with the recovery of the final missing victim, bringing the tragic death toll to 36.
Week-Long Search Concludes with Somber Discovery
After more than a week of intense operations, rescue teams recovered the body of the last person missing from the Binaliw landfill disaster early on Sunday morning, January 18, 2026. The discovery was made at precisely 5:41 a.m. in an area designated as Quadrant A. The identity of this victim has not yet been established, according to information provided by Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak.
The massive landslide of garbage occurred on January 8, 2026, triggering a relentless search mission that lasted for over eight days. Teams worked around the clock in difficult and hazardous conditions to locate all those buried in the incident.
Victim Status and Ongoing Recovery
While the search phase has ended, the community continues to deal with the aftermath of the catastrophe. Officials report that around 14 victims who were rescued alive in the immediate aftermath have now been discharged from various hospitals after receiving treatment.
However, the recovery process is not over for everyone. Four individuals remain confined in medical facilities, continuing to receive necessary care for their injuries. Their conditions are being closely monitored.
A Community in Mourning
The confirmation of the 36th fatality marks a heartbreaking endpoint to the active search. The Binaliw landfill trash slide stands as one of the deadliest incidents of its kind in recent memory for Cebu City. The focus now shifts fully to supporting the bereaved families, identifying the last victim, and ensuring proper treatment for the injured. The incident has raised serious questions about landfill management and safety protocols in urban areas.
