A 26-year-old man tragically died after being buried by a landslide in Labrador, Pangasinan.
The victim was descending from the mountainous area of Labrador when a sudden collapse of earth and rocks occurred.
According to Police Lieutenant Marie Grace E. Lucendo, Deputy Chief of Police of Labrador Municipal Police Station, four solar workers were walking towards their waiting service vehicle when a section of the mountain suddenly gave way.
Three of the workers managed to escape, with some sustaining minor injuries, while the 26-year-old victim was swept away or fell while attempting to evade the collapsing earth and was subsequently buried by rocks, mud, and soil.
The victim’s companions immediately sought help to locate him, and he was later found buried under the debris and rushed to the nearest hospital, but unfortunately did not survive.
The official stated that no prior signs of a landslide were recorded in the area before the incident.
Initial investigations indicate this is the first recorded land erosion incident in that specific part of the barangay.
Lucendo suggested that continuous rainfall brought by the “habagat” (southwest monsoon) likely contributed to the softening of the soil in the mountainous terrain.
The Philippines is highly susceptible to landslides, particularly during the monsoon season, with the “habagat” frequently saturating soil and increasing the risk of such geological hazards in mountainous and hilly regions across the archipelago.
Consequently, authorities are continuously monitoring conditions in areas near the mountains to prevent further incidents.
Personnel from the Labrador Police Station, in coordination with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), rescue teams, and the local government, promptly responded upon receiving reports of the incident.
An initial investigation was also conducted to determine if any foul play was involved, with Lucendo confirming that based on preliminary results, the incident was an accident with no indications of foul play.
Following the tragedy, authorities reminded residents living near mountainous areas to remain vigilant for any signs of ground movement.
Residents were urged to evacuate immediately if necessary and not hesitate to leave their homes upon observing any falling debris or ground instability from the mountainside.