Death toll rises in Cavite factory explosion

MANILA, Philippines - The death toll in the blast that hit a fireworks factory in Trece Martires City, Cavite rose to two Thursday noon, as authorities continue to battle the fire that was set off by an explosion. Citing initial information, Trece Martires City police chief Superintendent Reynaldo Galang said the two bodies were recovered just outside the factory. He added that the bodies appeared to be those of a man and a woman. "Isang lalaki at isang babae, sa labas lang yan (They appear to be the bodies of a male and a female. That's just outside the factory)," Galang said in an interview on dzBB radio. "Putol-putol ang mga ito, pinatawag ang SOCO para ma-identify (The body parts are mangled. We have to bring in the scene of the crime operations teams to identify them)," he added. A separate dzBB report also said burned body parts were found in the area surrounding the Starmaker fireworks factory in Conchu village. On the other hand, Cavite provincial police director Senior Superintendent Hernando Zafra said three persons were already confirmed dead while 38 were reportedly wounded in the powerful blast. In a radio interview, Zafra confrimed three bodies have already been recovered from the factory but did not say whether all the fatalities were laborers in the factory. "Ayon pa rin po yung bilang ng patay, tatlo po (That is still our official count, three dead)," Zafra said, adding that the factory employs at least 100 people. Authorities have identified the factory owner as Doy Tan. - Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV