Six killed, 15 missing in southern Philippine landslide

Troops to pull back after rebels threaten Red Cross hostages Manila- Six people were killed and 15 were missing when a landslide swept a mining village in the southern Philippines on Monday, local officials said.

Thirty people were also hurt after boulders and mud crashed into parts of Napnapan village in Pantukan town, Compostela Valley province, 930 kilometres south of Manila.

"It was an unfortunate incident," Governor Arturo Uy said. "We've already sent a team to check on the area."

Uy said the landslides happened after several days of heavy rains, which could have further loosened soil already weak from gold-mining activities in the area.

He said miners and rescue volunteers dug up six dead bodies and were searching for other victims.

Pantukan Mayor Celso Sarenas said up to 15 were missing in the incident.

Josephine Frasco, provincial social welfare officer, said the landslide buried several shanties on the mountain slopes.

Hundreds of people have been killed in gold-mining areas in Compostela Valley due to various accidents as well as violence among rival small-scale mining corporations and big-time operators.(dpa)