Angeles City, Pampanga building collapse death toll jumps to 20

The death toll from the collapse of a building under construction in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City in Pampanga has increased to 20, according to the Bureau Fire Protection (BFP) Central Luzon on Tuesday.

In an update, BFP Central Luzon said three more bodies were recovered from the rubble Tuesday afternoon at 1:13 p.m., 1:17 p.m., and 1:19 p.m.

“As responders worked to establish access to Victim #18, who was located at 1110H, the operation led to the discovery of two more victims at 1303H, later designated as Victim #19 and Victim #20,” it said.

“Victim #19 was subsequently extricated at 1313H, followed by Victim #18 at 1317H and Victim #20 at 1319H,” it added.

BFP Central Luzon said operations continue as responders carefully clear debris and expand access within the collapse site.

With this development, authorities said 20 were confirmed dead, 27 were rescued, and no more persons were reported missing in the incident.

The nine-story building being constructed collapsed before dawn on May 24.

According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), there were possible violations of occupational safety and health standards in the construction site.

The construction project had previously been subjected to a work stoppage order issued by DOLE Region 3 because of safety deficiencies.

It was later resumed after the company reportedly complied with the agency’s requirement.

On Saturday, lawyers of the owner and contractor of the structure showed up at a press conference a week after the incident.

One of the lawyers said the owner of the building is willing to help the victims and seeks to conduct an independent investigation into the incident.

“Una po naming kinausap iyon pong Office of the Mayor po. Sila po ‘yung puwedeng tumulong sa amin at ipinaliwanag din po namin kung kakailangan pong pinansyal na tulong,” Atty. Willie Rivera, a representative of the building owner, said.

(We first talked to the Office of the Mayor. They are the ones who can help us, and we explained to them that should financial help be needed.)

“Hindi po tatakbo si contractor sa mga assistance na hihingiin ng families. Ang number one priority nila ngayon ay to help the affected families,” Atty. Nicolai Manguerra, representative of the contractor, said.

(The contractor will not run away from the assistance that families would request. Their number one priority is to help the affected families.)

Investigations into the incident are ongoing. — BAP, GMA News