Collapsed mining pit behind woman’s death in Danao

CEBU, Philippines — It was because of an old mining pit that collapsed, and not a sinkhole.

The city government of Danao issued this clarification following the death of 46-year-old Mejame Papaya of Barangay Sabang, who was earlier reported to have been “swallowed” by a sinkhole while tending to her pigs on Saturday.

According to the city government, however, Papaya’s death was due to the collapse of an old mining pit located at the back of Sabang Elementary School. She was standing near the pig pen which was situated atop the pit.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, in its incident report yesterday, said that it immediately fielded emergency medical and search and rescue personnel to the site last Saturday afternoon following the alarm.

CDRRMO also asked help from 70 SRR personnel, including volunteers from the Special Assistance on Fire and Rescue Inc. (SAFARI)  and from the Bureau of Fire Protection.

Danao City police also responded to secure the site, putting up an incident command post in the area. Sabang DRRMC was also mobilized with to help with the directive from the barangay captain.

According to CDRRMO chief Jikjik Reyes, it was not easy for the backhoe to enter the site considering that it was located in an interior portion.

Papaya’s remains were later found at 9:30 p.m. of Saturday, several hours after she fell into the pit. She was already dead.

Residents living nearby are currently staying with their relatives while the area is still being cordoned.

CDRRMO, during its site inspection last Sunday morning, installed hazard-prone signs in the area.

The City Social Welfare and Development Office of Danao has, meanwhile, extended assistance to the immediate family of Papaya.

CDRRMO has also scheduled another site inspection together with the City Engineering Office and City Environment and Natural Resources Office to assess and determine the hollow portions within a particular radius from the site. — JMD (FREEMAN)