Retrieval halted in Panabo tunnel tragedy as danger levels spike

PANABO CITY (April 28) — Authorities have halted retrieval operations for three men believed trapped in a deep underground tunnel, after conditions at the site were deemed too dangerous for rescuers.

The excavation in Barangay Upper Licanan has been classified as a high-hazard zone, with responders warning that the tunnel—estimated at up to 270 feet deep—poses life-threatening risks, including toxic gas exposure and structural instability.

From rescue to recovery—and now suspension

The operation, initially launched as a search-and-rescue effort, had already shifted to retrieval mode before being suspended on April 25 due to worsening conditions.

Air monitoring inside the tunnel detected ammonia and carbon monoxide, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection, making entry increasingly perilous even for trained responders.

Two bodies have already been recovered:

• A 59-year-old man from Tagum City on April 23
• Another victim, also 59, retrieved the following day

Three others—aged 39, 75, and 63—remain missing.

High-risk conditions on the ground

Authorities say the tunnel’s depth, confined space, and poor ventilation create a volatile mix. Even with protective gear, prolonged exposure to toxic gases could be fatal.

The response involved multiple agencies, including the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Army (27th Infantry Battalion), and local disaster units, underscoring the scale and complexity of the operation.

City officials, led by Administrator Pedrito A. Misoles, have since met with the victims’ families to explain the risks and the decision to halt operations.

Questions over legality

Investigators are now looking into whether the excavation—believed to be linked to treasure hunting—had the required permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and its Mines and Geosciences Bureau.

City Information Officer Michael Angelo Abellana Resueño said verification is ongoing, as authorities examine possible lapses in regulation and oversight.

A troubling pattern

The incident echoes a similar case in 2024 in another Panabo barangay, where two men died in a tunnel reportedly dug without permits and triggered by a flammable substance.

That earlier case raised red flags over unregulated excavation activities, particularly those tied to informal treasure hunting—often conducted without coordination with local officials or safety safeguards.

Safety over recovery

For now, authorities stress that the suspension is about preventing more casualties.

With unstable ground, toxic air, and extreme depth, the site remains too dangerous for retrieval teams to proceed.

The focus has shifted to investigation and risk assessment—while families wait, and the city confronts yet another reminder of the dangers lurking beneath unregulated digs.