Nine-Story Building Collapse in Angeles City Traps Workers

A nine-story building under construction collapsed before dawn on Sunday in Angeles City, north of Manila, leaving dozens of workers missing and prompting a large-scale rescue operation. The structure gave way around 3 a.m. along Teodoro Street in the Balibago district during a thunderstorm, according to local officials.

More than 100 police and government personnel were deployed to search for those believed trapped in the rubble. Police Brigadier General Jess Mendez confirmed the rescue effort was underway but could not immediately provide a precise number of missing workers. Jay Pelayo, head of the Angeles City information office, said a construction foreman who escaped as the building fell reported that at least 30 workers may still be inside the debris. Other officials said 19 workers were unaccounted for, though the exact number remained unclear as rescue teams worked to locate survivors.

Twenty-two workers managed to escape the collapse, officials said. In addition, 24 people were rescued from the rubble, and two others were pulled from a nearby apartment-style hotel that was struck when the building came down. Those rescued were reported to be in stable condition....