Rescuers search for more than 20 trapped after Philippines building collapse

Rescuers are urgently searching for more than 20 individuals believed to be trapped beneath the rubble of a nine-story building that collapsed during construction in Angeles City, Philippines. The incident occurred on Sunday, prompting a large-scale rescue operation.

Officials reported that five victims were confirmed trapped, with two in communication with rescuers. An additional 18 workers from the day's duty roster are unaccounted for, bringing the estimated total of trapped individuals to 23. Rescuers are navigating a challenging landscape of concrete slabs and mangled steel at the site, north of Manila.

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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.

So far, 24 people have been rescued, with no fatalities reported. Among the rescued was a Malaysian national who was staying in a nearby hotel damaged by the collapse. The cause of the structural failure is currently under investigation. Preliminary information suggests the building, approved as a nine-story condo-hotel, was having a 10th floor added, which may have contributed to the collapse.

Emergency services, including ambulances and fire trucks, are on standby to support the rescue efforts. Moving the heavy concrete debris presents a significant obstacle for the teams working to free those still potentially trapped.

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Ambulances were on standby, and fire trucks had been deployed to assist in the rescue, adding that moving the concrete debris was a challenge for rescuers.