MANILA (Kyodo) — At least 16 people have been killed in a landslide that hit a mining village in the southern Philippines, disaster officials said Tuesday.
Liza Mazo of the Office of Civil Defense said at least 15 others are still missing in the slide that began Sunday in Compostela Valley, a province in the southern Philippines.
Police said the number of deaths could increase.
Mazo said 20 residents were injured and that rescue teams were at the scene.
“Most of the victims were miners and members of their families, including some children,” she said, adding heavy rains caused the landslide.
Illegal gold mining is rampant in the province, posing serious threats to residents at the foot of the mountains.
