5 killed, 6 missing in Leyte geothermal field landslide

MANILA, Philippines—Two weeks of intermittent rains triggered a landslide late Friday morning at the Energy Development Corp.’s geothermal steam field in Leyte, claiming the lives of five workers, the company announced. Six others were still missing.

In a statement, EDC said the landslide occurred at the Upper Mahiao geothermal field in Leyte, affecting a total of 43 workers, who are employees of EDC’s contractor First Balfour.

Of the 43 workers, 37 personnel have been accounted for, while six others remained missing as of Friday afternoon.

Of the 37 accounted for, five were declared dead, 21 were treated at the EDC clinic and 11 others were being treated at a hospital, EDC said.

A joint EDC-LGU emergency response team is continuing a search for the seven missing workers.

The Upper Mahiao geothermal field is part of EDC’s Leyte Geothermal Production Field, which is the world’s largest wet steamfield. The LGPF also includes the Tongonan 1, Malitbog, Mahanagdong and Leyte optimization steam fields. –Amy R. Remo, Philippine Daily Inquirer