Six people have died and eight are still missing following a landslide that buried seven houses at Wawandue in the Subic Municipality of southern Zambales Province on Luzon Island, in the Philippines, roughly 90 km northeast of Manila, before 6.00 am local time on Monday 23 September 2013 (before 10.00 pm on Sunday 22 September GMT). It is believed that the missing people are still trapped inside their houses and that there is a realistic prospect of recovering at least some of them alive. A further six people are missing following a second landslide at San Idriso in the Subic Municipality, but the details of this second incident are not yet clear.
The approximate location of the 23 September 2013 Subic landslides. Google Maps.
The incident comes following heavy rains associated with Typhoon Odette that have brought extensive flooding to Luzon and the Visayas Islands over the weekend. 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.
See also Man killed by rockfall on Luzon Island, the Philippines, Miner killed in landslide on Mindanao Island, the Philippines, At least one person dead as Typhoon Utor sweeps across Luzon Island, Two children killed by landslide in the Philippines and Three construction workers killed in Philippine landslip.
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