Manila: A building under construction in Angeles City, Pampanga Province, north of Manila, collapsed in the early hours of Sunday local time amid a thunderstorm, trapping at least two people under the rubble. Rescue workers are racing to free them.
According to Thai News Agency, the nine-story structure came down suddenly, leading to a frantic rescue operation. So far, 26 people have been pulled from the debris, including 24 from the collapsed building and two from a nearby budget hotel that suffered damage due to the tremors. Among the survivors is a 51-year-old Malaysian national. Fortunately, there have been no reports of fatalities.
Currently, two victims remain trapped but are in communication with rescue teams. Rescuers from the Manila Urban Development Authority are working diligently to extract them. The complexity of removing thick concrete and twisted steel rebar fragments necessitates the use of heavy machinery, which is awaited at the scene.
The exact number of people trapped remains uncertain. Initial estimates suggested 30-40 individuals were caught in the collapse, as per the foreman. However, the supervising engineer indicated that typically around 19-20 workers are on duty at the site. Efforts are underway to verify names and confirm identities.
City engineers have launched an urgent investigation to uncover the reasons behind the building's collapse, focusing on its construction history and structural integrity.