A landslide in Cebu City on Friday, October 9, has claimed the life of a young child and left several others trapped under debris in the Barangay Pulangbato neighborhood. The incident involved four family members, including two children aged five and six. The deceased, identified as five-year-old Xian, was recovered by emergency responders but succumbed to his injuries shortly after being taken to the hospital for treatment. His mother, Pearl, 38, was rescued and hospitalized, where she is currently reported to be in stable condition.
As of 4:05 p.m. on the same day, two other victims—a 60-year-old woman named Judith and a six-year-old boy named Kyden—remained trapped beneath the landslide debris. The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, led by City Councilor Dave Tumulak, reported that rescue efforts were complicated by continuing rainfall, which has made the ground increasingly unstable.
Rescue teams spotted Judith and Kyden unconscious but faced significant challenges due to the shifting soil. The dangerous conditions put both the trapped individuals and rescuers at risk, compelling responders to approach the operation with extreme caution to prevent further collapses during the extraction efforts.
Mayor Nestor Achival provided updates on the situation, mentioning that the recovery operations for the trapped victims are still ongoing. He highlighted the importance of maintaining clear access for emergency responders and urged residents living in landslide-prone areas to be alert and take necessary precautions as bad weather persists. He reiterated the need for the public to avoid the landslide site in order to ensure that rescue vehicles can operate without obstruction.
Emergency services continued to monitor the site closely, undertaking efforts to retrieve Judith and Kyden while addressing the risks posed by the unstable terrain. The local government has placed a high priority on public safety amid the ongoing crisis, asking residents to stay clear of hazardous areas. Authorities are calling for vigilance as the situation develops, recognizing the urgent need to stabilize the site and ensure effective rescue operations.
The landslide has drawn attention to the vulnerability of certain areas within Cebu City to such natural disasters, particularly during heavy rainfall seasons, emphasizing the need for ongoing risk assessments and community preparedness initiatives. Rescuers are hopeful for positive outcomes as they continue their search for the missing family members.