FOUR people died while three miners are still missing when a tunnel collapsed in Monkayo, Compostela Valley, Saturday night, February 27.

In a report by the provincial police, the Australia Tunnel in the gold-rush mountain of Diwawal collapsed around 8 p.m. while the miners were working inside.

The collapse was said to have been triggered by an "underground flashflood".

Since Sunday, February 28, six miners have been rescued while three others remain trapped inside the mining tunnel.

Three more miners were killed along with one rescuer. Those rescued were identified as Aljun Dumalaga, Oliver Uganap, Carlito Morado, Alberto Agyang, Angelito Tonio, Pepe Mendoza.

Still trapped inside the tunnel are Bryan Monsoon, Roel Dacaldacal, and Richard Monsoon.

Three bodies were meanwhile retrieved by the rescuers as of Monday afternoon, February 29. They were Reymart Pegaret, Gilbert Bayot, and Reynate Gemino. One of the rescuers also died and was identified as Ernesto Loquina.

The Office of Civil Defense in Davao Region said the rescue operation is still ongoing in the area spearheaded by the mining company.

The OCD is now coordinating with the local authorities in the area to determine the real cause of the collapse. It was learned that only isolated rain showers were reported in the area when the accident happened.