The death toll in the collapse of a structure in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City has climbed to 24 after rescuers recovered three bodies from the rubble on Wednesday morning.
According to the Unified Command System, responders extricated the body of the 24th victim, an unidentified male, from Quadrant 2 of the collapsed structure at 10:57 a.m. Earlier in the day, rescue teams recovered two bodies from the same quadrant. The first was extricated shortly after 7 a.m., while the second was recovered past 9 a.m. Both victims were processed and turned over to the City Health Office.
The recovery of the remains was relayed to Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II, who immediately ordered the conduct of Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) to establish the victims' identities and facilitate the notification of their families.
Rescue and retrieval operations continue at the collapse site as responders work through the rubble in hopes of locating other victims. Local officials have yet to release the identities of victims pending completion of identification procedures.
The collapse, which occurred earlier this week, has prompted an investigation into the structural integrity of the building. Authorities are coordinating with engineering experts to determine the cause of the incident. Meanwhile, the city government has assured support for the affected families, including temporary shelter and financial assistance.
Search teams are utilizing heavy equipment and trained dogs to carefully sift through debris. The operation is being hampered by unstable remnants of the structure, requiring cautious progress. Officials have not ruled out the possibility of more victims trapped beneath the rubble.
