More than 50 people are now confirmed to have died in a major landslide that swamped a village in the southern Philippines.

A further 63 people are still missing following the disaster on Tuesday, which came after weeks of torrential rains in the region.

Authorities initially said seven people had been killed, but on Sunday said 54 bodies had now been recovered.

The landslide, which happened close to a gold mine in Masara, Davao de Oro province, smashed into multiple buildings and vehicles.

Miners who were waiting in two buses to be driven home are among the missing.

At least 32 residents were injured but survived.

Relatives of the missing had been gathering near the scene in the hope of finding their loved ones alive.

Jenny Cano, the wife of a missing van driver, fought back tears as she told reporters: “[Ever since] when it happened, we have not been able to call his mobile phone.”

More than 1,100 families living in the surrounding area have been moved to evacuation centres.

Ongoing poor weather and the threat of further landslides have been hampering the search operation.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Local official Edward Macapili said over 300 people were involved in the rescue attempt, which was continuing on Sunday.

Asked if there were still survivors, Mr Macapili admitted it was “unlikely”.

But he added: “The rescue team is doing its best, even if it’s very difficult.”

Related posts:

Tokyo Olympics Day 4: Gymnastics, equestrian and taekwondo medals all up for grabs for Team GB Olympic champion gymnast Simone Biles pulls out of final due to apparent injury Six-year-old sole survivor of cable car crash must return to Italy after ‘abduction’, court rules Could Putin stand trial for war crimes and what punishment could he face? Sri Lankans in six-mile daily walk for food as demand for free meals soars and people struggle to survive Police officers seen milling in hallway as new footage of response to Texas school shooting emerges Mountains, free housing and $90k salary – but New Zealand struggling to fill ‘spectacular’ wildlife job ‘We want a normal life’: Why are people protesting in China? I lived through China’s COVID lockdowns for the best part of three years – it’s a miserable existence Fire and violence in Athens as protesters clash with riot police over rail disaster Iceland’s prime minister joining women on strike over equal pay and gender-based violence Journalists killed by Israeli strike in Lebanon, broadcaster says