9 dead, 9 missing in Lopez's Leyte power plant landslide

Nine are confirmed dead and nine are missing in a landslide that hit the Leyte geothermal power plant of the Lopez Group on Friday, March 1.

In a statement on Friday afternoon, March 1, Energy Development Corp. (EDC) said they are coordinating with the families of those affected by the landslide that occurred in its Upper Mahiao Geothermal Project in Leyte.

Upon confirmation with JA Arradaza Construction on Saturday, March 2, a subcontractor of First Balfour, which was working on the rig at the EDC plant in the mountains of Kananga, a total of 45 workers were affected by the incident.

This included some 21 workers who were receiving treatment in a clinic and 8 workers who were sent to hospitals.

Landslide

According to some survivors confined at the OSPA-Farmer’s Medical Center and Gatchalian Hospital, the landslide came rolling down from the top of a steep hill around 40 meters high near the rig.

They also shared that pandemonium broke out after a dense smoke enveloped the area where they were working. Due to panic, they just ran off in several directions.

They said they also heard a loud explosion, presumably the landslide. They were not sure if the the loud bang came first or the toxic fumes.

Confined at the Gatchalian Hospital are Ronelo Basan, 24; Romeo Binondo Jr., 32, Edgar Brigildo, 35; Mario Sergida, 22; Alimar Aseo, 19; Joebert Auman, 20 and Ramirito Manawatao, 40.

Attending nurses at the Gatchalian Hospital said that 4 of the confined patients suffered fractures while the remaining were confined for breathing problems after inhaling what is suspected as sulfuric smoke.

Treated for minor injuries were Roldan Rios, 28 and Bennie Leutero, 21.

Search and rescue

Rescuers are scrambling to find the 6 missing, hoping they still catch them alive.

“Time is of the essence here,” EDC Corporate Communications Officer Dave Devilles told local media. “EDC is using all its resources."

A joint emergency response team of EDC and the Leyte government is continuing their search and rescue operation for the missing workers.

"The Emergency Response Team and all available personnel as well as company resources and equipment have already been mobilized," the company said in the statement.

The staff of First Balfour, a sister firm of EDC, are prioritizing the retrieval operations but are sometimes interrupted by rain. They are awaiting a sniffing dog from the military.

Saturday 2 March 2013

http://www.rappler.com/nation/22868-9-dead-in-lopez-s-leyte-power-plant-incident