3 dead, 18 still missing after building collapse in Angeles City
Two more casualties have been confirmed in the collapse of the 9-storey building under construction in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga, bringing the death toll to three, while 18 remain missing on the second day of rescue operations.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection Central Luzon, one individual was retrieved during the rescue operations around 12 midnight on Monday, May 25, but was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
Fire Superintendent Maria Leah Sajili told GMA News' Unang Balita that as of May 25, 7:20 a.m., another body was retrieved.
"'Yung isa doon sa dalawa coming from sector one ay na-retrieve na natin. Wala na po siyang buhay at nai-transport na siya ng ating ambulance kanina sa Lazatin Hospital," she said. "We have three confirmed dead on the bulletin right now."
Prior to this, a Malaysian national who was trapped inside an apartelle beside the collapsed building has been confirmed dead after the incident. Authorities have since recovered the victim’s remains.
Based on the latest update from the Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, 26 individuals have been rescued from the incident.
Sajili said their rescue operations are still ongoing, and that they will use sectoral and thermal scanning to locate other trapped victims.
The building along Teodoro Street in Barangay Balibago collapsed around 3 a.m. on May 24 during a thunderstorm.
PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the agency will help in the investigation to determine the cause of the collapse and any possible violations of safety and building regulations.
"The Philippine National Police is closely coordinating with local authorities and emergency response units following the collapse of a hotel construction site in Brgy. Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga early this morning," Nartatez said in a statement released on May 25.
"Rescue operations remain ongoing amid hazardous conditions caused by unstable debris and live power lines. The PNP is likewise supporting the ongoing investigation to determine the cause of the incident and possible violations of safety and building regulations," he added.
The Police Regional Office 3 deployed 175 personnel to assist the BFP, AFP, and Angeles City DRRMO in search and retrieval efforts, traffic control, and area security.
