By: Vanessa Bugtong
Authorities ordered the suspension of a small-scale mining operation in Barangay Poblacion, Itogon, Benguet, after a landslide buried a portion of the site early Tuesday morning.
The collapse happened near a tunnel where miners had been working hours earlier.
Rescuers said no workers were inside when the ground gave way. However, they warned that the unstable soil in the area could trigger more slides.
A responder shared that the site was “already showing cracks before the collapse, so we knew the ground was weakening.”
Local officials have begun inspecting nearby mining areas to ensure the safety of workers and residents.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau also dispatched a team to determine whether the tunnel violated safety protocols.
The Itogon Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) reminded miners to stay away from the site until further notice.
