Philippine officials discovered a dangerous crack Sunday in a mountain hit by a deadly landslide last week and want troops to force dozens of illegal gold miners to evacuate before another disaster strikes their remote southern village.

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje said he and other officials discovered the 70-metre long fissure on a mountain slope above Kingking village during an aerial survey.

A portion of the mountain slope along the crack collapsed after a downpour Friday and buried several shanties below, leaving at least five dead and 17 missing.