Three people were injured and two minors reported missing as a result of a landslide that occurred in Calamba City, Laguna following torrential rains on Sunday afternoon.

Apart from the injured and missing persons, around six homes were swept away by the runoff water, affecting 28 families in Barangay Mapagong, according to Calamba City Police Chief PLtCol. Dennis de Guzman, in a report by RH 27 Noche Cacas.

The injured were admitted at JP Rizal Hospital, while search and rescue operations are currently underway for the two missing children.

The police’s initial investigation revealed that the riverbank collapsed due to persistent heavy downpour, which generated large volumes of surface runoff from the national road and nearby elevated areas.

The water rushed towards the riverbank, seeping into the ground, and saturating the soil so that it softened.

“Over time, the saturated soil softened and severely weakened the foundation of the houses constructed along the edge of the riverbank,” the report read.

“Eventually, the ground completely lost its structural integrity and bearing capacity, causing a portion of the riverbank to suddenly collapse and slide into the river,” de Guzman said.

Ten Calamba City police officers and six Regional Mobile Force Battalion 4A personnel were deployed to the site in order to secure the scene, assist in response operations, and maintain public safety.