A man has died in a landslide in the Barangay Apas district of Cebu City, the Philippines, at about 5.15 pm local time on Friday 6 October 2017. The man, described as Joel Brobo, 41, a carpenter, was reportedly clearing up after a days work on a construction site when he was hit by the landslide, which included large stones brought to the site as a construction material. One of these large rocks is reported to have pinned Brobo by the chest and torso, preventing him from breathing, and leading to his death, as it took over an hour to extract him.
Atempts to resuscitate a man buried by a landslide in Cecu City, the Philippines on 6 October 2017. Nagiel Bañacia/Tampo.
The incident is reported to have happened following heavy rainfall in
the area. Landslides are a common problem after severe weather events,
as excess
pore water pressure can overcome cohesion in soil and sediments,
allowing them to flow like liquids. Approximately 90% of all landslides
are caused by heavy rainfall. Cebu has a wet and dry tropical climate,
with a long rainy season that lasts from May to January.
The approximate location of the 6 October 2017 Barangay Apas landslide. Google Maps.
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