In a tragic incident in Angeles, Philippines, a building under construction collapsed, resulting in the confirmed deaths of three individuals, with 17 others still missing. Rescuers have been working tirelessly to locate and save those trapped under the debris. The collapse has sparked an investigation to determine the cause, as officials work to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Rescue Efforts and Investigation

Rescue teams managed to pull two individuals from the rubble, one of whom unfortunately succumbed to injuries after being retrieved. The other suffered cardiac arrest while still trapped. Maria Leah Sajili, an information officer at the regional Bureau of Fire Protection, reported that thermal scans have detected signs of life beneath the debris, indicating the possibility of more survivors.

The building, intended to be a nine-story condo-hotel, had an additional tenth floor under construction for a swimming pool. This deviation from the approved permit is part of the ongoing investigation. Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin stated that efforts are underway to locate the building owner to provide clarity on the number of workers present at the site during the collapse.

Families’ Growing Frustration

Families of the missing individuals have expressed increasing frustration with the pace of the search and rescue operations. Lea Casilao, who traveled from Manila, voiced her desire for regular updates about her husband, a construction worker believed to be trapped. Similarly, Lorena Angcao, whose brother and sister-in-law are missing, emphasized the need for better communication from authorities.

The collapse also affected a neighboring hotel building, where the body of a 65-year-old Malaysian national was recovered. As the search continues, families and officials alike are hoping for more positive outcomes in the coming days.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.