Building under construction collapses in Philippines; 19 feared trapped

Philippine officials reported that a building under construction near Manila collapsed suddenly early on the 24th, with 19 people feared trapped under the rubble. Officials in Angeles City, located about 80 kilometers north of the capital Manila, stated they received reports around 3:00 AM local time that an unfinished nine-story concrete building had collapsed. Officials told AFP that the walls and scaffolding of the building were twisted and deformed, and many people might be trapped. While there are no reports of casualties yet, officials noted, "Usually 19 people work at this site, so we are working hard to find them." According to initial reports from the city government, rescue teams have pulled 24 people from the rubble, and two others were rescued from a hotel-style apartment affected by the collapse. Officials stated, "We hope the 19 people are among those rescued so we can confirm their safety." The condition of those rescued is currently stable, and the cause of the accident is under investigation.