Landslide in Philippines kills 15 (Second Lead)

Manila : At least 15 people died on Thursday and more than 50 were missing after a landslide triggered by heavy rains buried several houses in the Philippines Cebu province, authorities said.

Among the dead were a four-year-old child, two teenagers and two elderly women. The landslide occurred early in the morning in Naga City and buried several houses in Naalad and Tinaan villages. Dozens were feared trapped under mud, Xinhua news agency reported.

Naga City government spokesperson Gary Cabotaje said eight people were rescued and five of them sustained injuries. More than 1,000 settlers were already evacuated to safer grounds.

He said the soil softened after heavy rains, leading to the landslide and making it hard for heavy equipment to reach the site.

Naga city councillor Carmelino Cruz told the ANC news channel that up to 50 people may have been buried alive in the landslide.

"Every now and then you can feel the ground vibrate. Our main concern is search and rescue. We would like to concentrate on saving as many as we can," he said.

Before the tragedy struck, authorities said they warned people to leave the area, but the residents ignored their warnings.