A nine-story building under construction in Angeles City, north of the Philippine capital, has collapsed. While 22 workers managed to escape the site, city officials estimate that between 30 and 40 people may be trapped.
The death toll has risen to three, including two workers who were found alive beneath the wreckage but later died of their injuries. Currently, 17 people remain missing. While up to 70 people are employed at the construction site, officials noted that most had gone home for the weekend.
The structure gave way after the walls and scaffolding buckled, trapping people in a pile of debris. Rescuers are continuing their search for survivors after thermal scans showed signs of heartbeats and breathing beneath the rubble.
However, the rescue efforts are being hampered by high temperatures and a lack of proper equipment.