Landslide buries houses in Naga City, kills at least 4

MANILA – A massive landslide buried dozens of homes in two villages near a mountain in Cebu province on Thursday, killing at least four people and sending rescuers scrambling to find survivors after some sent cellphone text messages pleading for help.

The avalanche surged down on about 30 rural houses after daybreak in Naga City, police head Roderick Gonzales told The Associated Press by telephone as he helped supervise the search and rescue. Seven injured villagers were rescued from the huge mound of earth and debris.

Some victims still managed to send text messages after the landslide hit, Gonzales said, adding elderly women and a child were among the dead.

The landslide hit while several northern provinces were still dealing with deaths and widespread damage wrought by typhoon Ompong, which pummeled the agricultural region Saturday and left more than 80 dead and 71 others missing.

A massive search was still underway for dozens of people feared dead after landslides in the gold-mining town of Itogon in the north.

It was not immediately clear how many residents were trapped in Naga City, where rescuers were treading carefully in small groups on the unstable ground to avoid

further casualties.

“We’re r unning out of time. The ground in the area is still vibrating. We’re striking a balance between intensifying our rescue efforts and ensuring the safety of our rescuers,” Naga City councilor Carmelino Cruz said by phone.

Cristita Villarba, a 53-year- old resident, told the AP by

phone that her husband and son were preparing to leave for work when the ground shook and they were overwhelmed by a roar.

“It was like an earthquake and there was this thundering, loud banging sound. All of us ran out,” Villarba said, adding she, her husband and three children were shocked but unhurt. ( AP)