Search Underway for More Than 20 People After Building Collapse in the Philippines

According to Saednews, Five people have been confirmed trapped, including two who are still in contact with rescuers, while 18 others are feared to be under the rubble, officials said.

“We have five confirmed trapped victims, and we have a figure of 18 workers from the list of construction workers on duty today, but no feedback yet from their families. This brings the estimated number of trapped victims to 23 as of today,” said Maria Leah Sajili, information officer at the regional Bureau of Fire Protection, during a press briefing.

At the site of the collapsed multi-storey building under construction in Angeles City, north of Manila, rescuers were seen climbing over piles of concrete debris and twisted steel, partially covered with green netting, as they searched for survivors.

The number of rescued individuals, including those found nearby, remains at 24, with no fatalities reported, Sajili added.

Among those rescued was a 51-year-old Malaysian national who had been staying at a nearby budget hotel that was damaged when the structure collapsed, according to city information officer Jay Pelayo in a phone interview with Reuters.

He had earlier told DZBB radio that around 30 to 40 people were feared trapped, based on information from a site foreman who was among those who escaped.

Officials said the cause of the collapse is still under investigation. Records indicate the building was approved as a nine-storey condo-hotel, but a tenth floor intended for a pool was also under construction.