Metro Manila, Philippines – Five people have been confirmed dead and 16 others remain missing after a building under construction collapsed in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga, authorities reported Thursday.
The fifth casualty, a male victim, was extricated from the rubble at 7:57 a.m. and immediately transported to the City Health Office for Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) procedures.
Angeles City Mayor Jon Lazatin disclosed that a cellular phone recovered near the body is believed to belong to the victim. The device has since been turned over to the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) for investigation and documentation.
According to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), 26 of the 47 individuals involved in the incident have been rescued, while 16 remain unaccounted for. The PRC deployed its Olongapo Chapter Search and Rescue Team, alongside welfare responders, emergency medical service crews, and emergency response volunteers, to assist local teams at the site.
Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the collapse as search, rescue, retrieval, and investigation operations continue.
