Nine-storey building under construction collapses in the Philippines, 19 feared trapped

A nine-story building under construction collapsed near Manila on Sunday morning, trapping an estimated 19 workers. The incident occurred in Angeles City, approximately 80 kilometers north of the Philippine capital, around 3 a.m.

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there are 19 personnel that usually report in the area, so they are the ones we are trying to locate now.

Local government officials reported that the building's walls and scaffolding buckled, leading to the collapse and likely entombing personnel within a pile of debris. Jay Pelayo, the city's information officer, stated that while there were no immediate reports of casualties, the 19 individuals who typically work at the site are the focus of ongoing search and rescue operations.

Rescue efforts are proving challenging due to the significant amount of concrete debris. "There are big chunks of concrete, and we need equipment to lift them up. That is what's challenging for the rescue right now," Pelayo explained. Initial reports indicated that 24 people were rescued from the rubble, along with two individuals from an adjacent hotel impacted by the collapse. Officials are hopeful that the 19 missing personnel are accounted for within this rescued group.

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There are big chunks of concrete, and we need equipment to lift them up. That is what's challenging for the rescue right now.

The survivors rescued so far are reported to be in stable condition. The cause of the building's collapse remains under investigation. Authorities are continuing interviews to confirm the identities of all individuals involved.

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We hope the 19 people are part of that number.