CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A 29-year-old backhoe operator was killed after a landslide struck and buried the excavator he was operating while extracting gravel at a quarry site in Barangay Casinglot, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, Thursday afternoon.

The Tagoloan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) identified the victim as Michael Alfron, a married resident of Kalilangan, Bukidnon.

The accident occurred shortly after 1 p.m. at the Antillon quarry site while Alfron was extracting sand along a hillside. Boulders, rocks and gravel suddenly cascaded down the slope, burying the excavator several feet beneath the debris.

The landslide also nearly reached a temporary quarters where several workers were staying at the time.

Rescue workers immediately responded and used heavy equipment to clear the debris and reach the trapped operator.

After about two hours, rescuers recovered Alfron’s mangled body from the excavator’s driver’s seat.

Authorities had previously warned that heavy rains could trigger landslides in flood-prone areas, including the quarry site.