Philippines Ends Rescue for 12 Missing in Building Collapse; 4 Bodies Found

Emergency officials in Angeles City, Philippines, declared an end to a two-day rescue operation for at least 12 individuals believed to be trapped in the rubble of a collapsed building. The nine-story condominium project crumbled onto a nearby hotel early on May 24, 2026.

So far, the bodies of four people have been recovered. Among the deceased are a Malaysian man, who was a hotel guest, and two construction workers. They were found trapped but alive on May 24 but tragically died before rescue.

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signs of life

Initial hopes for survivors were raised on May 25 when thermal sensors detected "signs of life" in a section of the wreckage. However, no survivors or additional bodies were found. The rescue operation was formally ended on the night of May 25, with search efforts suspended overnight before retrieval operations were set to begin on May 26.

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Our labor inspectors had monitored poor working conditions, a violation that would put our workers at risk.

Seventeen people were initially reported missing, but one individual contacted officials to confirm they were not at the site. Most of the remaining 16 missing are believed to be construction workers who were sleeping at the site. Officials stated that up to 70 people were employed at the construction site, though many had left for the weekend.

The cause of the collapse remains unknown. However, labor department inspectors had previously shut down the site in September 2024 due to violations of occupational safety standards. Inspectors noted poor working conditions, including a lack of safety gear like hard hats and safety belts, inadequate lighting, and no visible safety signage. The construction resumed a month later after the contractor reportedly complied with safety requirements.

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They were working here to earn for their families.