Hanoi (VNA) – The death toll from the collapse of a nine-story building under construction in Angeles city, Pampanga province in the northern part of the Philippines on May 24 has climbed to four while 17 others are still believed to be missing.
Two of the victims were found alive in the rubble but later died from their injuries. Most of the missing are construction workers who were staying overnight at the site when the collapse occurred. The cause of the incident has not yet been determined.
Philippine officials said about 70 workers were assigned to the construction site, though most had gone home for the weekend.
Rescue operations are facing difficulty reaching victims trapped beneath the debris. If no additional survivors are found, excavators and heavy machinery will be used to clear the wreckage and recover victims’ bodies./.
