6 killed, 7 others hurt in Bulacan factory blast

(Updated 11:02 p.m.) MANILA, Philippines - Six people were confirmed dead while seven others were injured following an explosion that hit a factory in Bulacan Tuesday night. The explosion occurred at the Styrofoam Packaging Corp. in Barangay Guyong in Santa Maria town and was believed to be caused by the factory's heater, said Bulacan Police chief Sr. Superintendent Allen Bantolo. He also said that seven people were missing as a result of the blast. "Rescue and retrieval operations are ongoing," Bantolo said. Superintendent Marcos Rivero, head of the Santa Maria police, asked for help from rescue and forensic teams as many people were feared trapped under the rubble. “Anim na po ang patay at pito ang injured [At least six have been confirmed dead and seven injured]," he said in an interview on QTV's “News on Q". Rivero confirmed that some people were buried in the rubble. “May taong nabaon nang sumabog ang heater ng malaking pabrika [Many others buried when the heater of the factory exploded)," he said in an earlier interview over dzBB radio. He said his police station has no capability to rescue or retrieve those trapped under the rubble. "Kung may makatulong dito na experts na naghuhukay ng patay natabunan maaring pumunta rito. Walang capability ang local police station na mag-retrieve [If there are experts who can retrieve bodies, please have them come here. Our station has no such capability]," he said. - GMANews.TV