Three dead, 17 missing after building collapse in Philippines

Rescuers in Angeles City, Philippines, have recovered two bodies from a collapsed multistorey building under construction, raising the confirmed death toll to three. Seventeen people, primarily construction workers, remain missing after thermal scans detected signs of breathing and heartbeats beneath the debris. The incident has prompted an immediate investigation into the cause of the collapse, with local authorities seeking to clarify site conditions and worker numbers.

Maria Leah Sajili, an information officer at the Bureau of Fire Protection, confirmed the details of the fatalities in an interview with Reuters. One victim had a pulse upon retrieval but later died, while another suffered cardiac arrest while still trapped. Sajili noted that rescuers were also working to retrieve a third body, which would only be added to the official toll once recovered.

The search operation has been conducted manually to avoid triggering sudden shifts in the debris that could crush survivors or endanger responders. Sajili explained that any movement by rescuers could cause structural instability, potentially burying the emergency teams. If no further survivors are found, mechanical diggers and heavy equipment will be deployed to clear the site, though no timeline was provided for this transition.

Up to 70 people were employed at the construction site, but most had left for the weekend prior to the incident. Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin stated that authorities are attempting to locate the building owner to determine the exact number of workers on site at the time of the collapse. The uncertainty surrounding the number of victims remains a key challenge, as thermal scans indicated signs of life but did not confirm the precise number of survivors.

Families of the missing have expressed frustration over the slow pace of the search and the lack of regular updates. Lea Casilao, a relative of a missing worker, said she only wants consistent information regarding her husband’s status. Witness Alfredo Albis reported that two of his cousins are among the missing, adding that there is a possibility his relatives are dead.