MikeLigalig.com

by AFP

A vast rubbish dump in the northern Philippines which collapsed killing several people during super typhoon Nanmadol will be relocated, authorities said Tuesday.

The collapse of the Irisan open dump in the mountain resort of Baguio accounted for three deaths, one missing and one injured, said Olivia Luces, regional head of the civil defence office.

"The city government has decided to look for an alternative area for an appropriate dumping site," Luces told AFP.

"The settlers below the collapsed retaining wall will be evacuated."

Luces said the city of 253,000 people had been using the open dump, located on the side of a mountain, for decades and informal settlers later put up shanties below the wall that marked the lower edge of the dump.

Rescuers estimate some 1,500 tonnes of compacted rubbish slid down the mountainside after floodwaters eroded the base of the wall.