4 dead, 41 hurt after water tank collapses in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan

Four people died while 41 were injured after a water tank of the San Jose del Monte (SJDM) Bulacan Water District collapsed early Friday morning, Luisito Santos reported for dzBB.

In a Balita Pilipinas interview, Muzon barangay captain Mar Gatchalian said two children were among those killed including one-year-old Jaina Espina. The two other fatalities were identified as Elaine Chamzon, 22, and Jimmy Garcia, 50.

Meanwhile, 41 residents of Barangay Muzon were injured from the cascade of 2,000 cubic meters of water, which could fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

A separate radio dzBB report said of those injured, two were reported to be in critical condition.

The strong rush of water had also left a thick layer of mud.

Gina Ayson Su, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer of SJDM, Bulacan, said a water tank that is about five years old collapsed. SJDM Mayor Arthur Robes said, on the other hand, that the water tank was seven years old. Either way, the tank is "young."

She said they are investigating the incident and have yet to determine the cause of damage.

Witnesses said they heard an explosion at about 3:30 a.m. Friday.

Police Superintendent Fitz Macariola, San Jose Del Monte police chief, said there are several houses affected by the incident.

Clearing operation is underway in the affected area and the main road, and is expected to be completed in an hour, Robes said.

The mayor did not yet say if the collapse was triggered by a structural problem.

"Hindi ko masabi, dahil alam mo ang hirap natin mag-speculate until such time na 'yung mga engineering design ay makita ng mga engineer na nagkamali," said Robes in an interview with dzBB's Allan Gatus.

The city's Water District will help the families of the casualties and will shoulder the hospital expenses of those injured by the collapse, said Robes.

The explosion was a "wake-up call" for the local government, Robes said.

Rescue operations are still ongoing to look for people who may have been trapped in the debris, Gatus said in a separate report. 

‘Suspicious design’

In an earlier News To Go report, SJDM Mayor Arthur Robes said he found the water tank's structural design suspicious.

"Dun lang ako medyo nagdududa, bakit nagkaroon ng pagdudugtong ng walang...design na...but siguro we'll dig deeper on that. Baka hindi niya kaya, based on the design sa ilalim," Robes said.

The general manager of the local water district pointed out that an additional structure was attached to the existing structure to increase capacity and supply a larger population.

"Nung lumaki na yung population, saka namin isinudlong. Pero naka-design siya for 2,000 cubic meters of water,"  said engineer Loreto Limcolioc.

Local government authorities are still investigating the cause of the explosion as of the report.

Road reopened

Authorities have reopened a one-way lane accessing the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and identified alternative routes.

Gatchalian said the water district will provide the injured victims discharged from the hospital with blankets and other commodities for their temporary stay at the barangay's covered court.

He added that initial repairs on the barangay's water pipes have restored water supply to some residential areas. —With Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/BAP/KG/RSJ, GMA News