Manila: The death toll from a collapse of a nine-story building under construction in northern Manila, Philippines, in the early hours of yesterday morning local time, has risen to at least three, with at least 17 people still missing and believed to be trapped under the rubble.
According to Thai News Agency, more than 24 hours have passed since a nine-story condominium and hotel under construction in the Balibaco neighborhood of Angeles City, Pampanga Province, about 80 kilometers north of Manila, collapsed in the early hours of Sunday morning local time. At least 26 workers have since escaped or been rescued safely.
The latest reports indicate that the death toll from the incident has risen to three. The first victim was a 65-year-old Malaysian tourist staying in a hotel adjacent to the construction site who was crushed by the collapsing debris. The other two victims were construction workers who were being rescued by emergency personnel but later died. Meanwhile, over 700 rescue workers and police officers are continuing their search for at least 17 missing people. Authorities have detected signs of life under the rubble using thermal imaging cameras. However, the operation requires manual labor and the use of small tools to carefully dismantle the structure, as the collapsed concrete and steel structure is unstable. Using heavy machinery immediately could cause debris to fall on those trapped below or endanger rescue workers.
Philippine authorities are urgently investigating the cause of the collapse. An examination of the building's permits revealed that while the building was approved for construction as a nine-story structure, an illegally added swimming pool on the tenth floor at the time of the incident may have contributed to the structural overload and subsequent collapse. The Angeles County government is now pursuing legal action against the building owner and contractor, and investigating the construction procedures further.