Manila: Rescuers in the Philippines have recovered two more victims from the rubble of a collapsed building under construction, raising the death toll to three as search and rescue efforts continue in Angeles City, north of Manila.
According to officials, one of the victims was still showing signs of life when pulled from the debris but later died, while another suffered cardiac arrest while trapped beneath the wreckage.
Authorities said rescue crews are also working to recover another body buried under the rubble, though it will only be included in the official death toll once retrieved.
Maria Leah Sajili, an information officer at the Bureau of Fire Protection, said that the thermal scans detected possible breathing and heartbeats beneath the debris, raising hopes that additional survivors may still be trapped.
Officials reported that 17 people remain missing after the building collapse, most of them construction workers who were believed to be on duty when the multistorey structure collapsed. Up to 70 workers were employed at the site, although many had reportedly left for the weekend before the incident occurred.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the building collapse, which remains unknown.
Sajili explained that rescue operations are being carried out carefully and mostly by hand due to the unstable condition of the debris. She warned that sudden movements during the operation could cause further collapse, endangering both trapped victims and rescuers.
Authorities said heavy equipment and mechanical diggers would only be brought in if no more survivors are detected beneath the rubble, though no timeline has been provided.
Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin noted that the officials are trying to locate the building owner to obtain answers regarding the incident and confirm the exact number of workers present at the site when the collapse occurred.
Meanwhile, families of the missing workers have reportedly become increasingly frustrated and anxious over the pace of the ongoing rescue operations, following the devastating building collapse.
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