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Fatal collapse in Angeles leaves one dead, dozens trapped
At least one person has died and approximately 20 individuals remain unaccounted for after a nine-story building under construction collapsed early Sunday in Angeles, a city near Manila, authorities confirmed.
Rescue efforts underway amid challenging conditions
Emergency teams have so far rescued 24 people from the collapsed site and an additional two from a nearby hotel struck by falling debris. The incident occurred around 03:00 local time (19:00 GMT Saturday), with the structure suddenly giving way without warning.
Philippine fire chief Rico Kwan Tiu told AFP that the confirmed fatality was a 65-year-old Malaysian man who had been staying at the hotel. The victim had managed to contact rescuers by phone while trapped under a collapsed wall but was found lifeless when retrieved.
Trapped workers and eyewitness accounts
Many of those missing are believed to be construction workers who were on-site when the building collapsed. According to Reuters, five individuals are confirmed trapped, two of whom have been able to communicate with rescue teams. However, the total number of people still buried remains uncertain.
An eyewitness told the Daily Tribune that she heard a loud rumbling sound moments before the collapse. She briefly lost consciousness and awoke to find debris scattered across two streets.
Investigation into collapse cause begins
Officials have launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse. City information officer Jay Pelayo told AFP that the building's walls and surrounding scaffolding had buckled, creating a massive pile of concrete and metal that has hampered rescue efforts.
"There are big chunks of concrete, and we need equipment to lift them up. That is what's challenging for the rescue right now."
Jay Pelayo, Angeles City Information Officer
Broader concerns over construction safety
Angeles, located approximately 90 kilometers (50 miles) northwest of Manila on the island of Luzon, has seen rapid development in recent years. However, construction safety in the Philippines has come under scrutiny, with research pointing to frequent issues such as poor planning, project mismanagement, and design flaws.
In January, a landfill collapse in Cebu resulted in the deaths of 11 waste workers, with others rescued from beneath the rubble.
