6 feared dead in Apayao massive landslide

Calanasan, Apayao – Six people are missing at Sitio Lubong, Calanasan, after a massive landslide buried the yet-to-be-numbered houses in the area, the Apayao Provincial Information Office reported Thursday, July 27.

Super Typhoon Egay's relentless rains were said to have saturated some parts of the mountain in the area, resulting in its soil loosening and causing a chunk of the mountain to collapse downhill, which buried a large part of the area that included the victims' houses.

The initial report states that missing individuals include 2 women, 3 men, and an 8-year-old child.

Although authorities fear these individuals could be dead, officials in the area still hope they could locate them.

Meanwhile, the provincial government, headed by Governor Elias C. Bulut Jr., has already ordered a search and rescue operation to quickly find the victims.

Following a survey in the area, some officials in the province opted for a systematic approach wherein personnel of the Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Philippine National Police will collaborate with rescuers in the municipality, including its barangay officials, using available manpower and equipment to rescue or retrieve the victims.

Bulut suggested the use of a helicopter to ferry the first responders to the landslide area, gaining a nod from the army. A Blackhawk will then be used to pursue the plan.

Other rescuers will later travel by land to reach the area.

Apart from the immediate search, Bulut, while expressing his sympathy to the relatives of the victims, likewise ordered the transport of aid to those who were able to survive the disaster.

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