The 34 miner workers who were reported buried in a landslide that occurred in this town on Thursday turned out to be alive and in good condition, authorities said yesterday.
Initial investigation showed that 30 miners immediately escaped, leaving their colleagues behind when mud and rocks rolled down at Camp 1 in Barangay Virac.
Authorities thought that the missing miners were trapped and died in the tunnel.
They were relieved when the workers came out safe and unharmed several hours later, according to Lt. Col. Roy Augustus Calulot, spokesman for the Cordillera police.
The municipal disaster risk reduction and management office said all 138 miners working at the camp were accounted for and no one was injured or killed in the incident.
The landslide destroyed three shanties and two power posts, police said.
Itogon Mayor Bernard Waclin commended the miners for acting quickly and following safety protocols.