Mining landslide kills 25 in the Philippines

The landslide happened on Thursday morning in Pantukan, Compostela Valley province, on Mindanao island.

The landslide was caused by heavy rain which has hit the country over the last two days.

Authorities said that a request for heavy equipment from the provincial government and local mining firms had been made to help speed up the rescue.

Government officials stated that people have refused to leave the area because they were mining for gold. Government said it warned people to move to safer areas but many refused to listen.

Unregulated mining activities have made the area unstable and caused a series of accidents. A nearby village was also hit by a landslide last year that killed 14 persons.

At least 1,249 people are known to have died in flash floods caused by Typhoon Washi, which struck Mindanao late last month.