Philippines: At least one dead and more than 20 trapped after unfinished building collapses in Philippines

At least one person has died after an unfinished building collapsed in the Philippines, authorities in the country have said.

Rescuers have been searching through the rubble of the nine-floor construction for another 21 people who are missing after Sunday's disaster.

A 65-year-old Malaysian national, whose body had been recovered from a neighbouring hotel affected by the collapse, was the first person confirmed dead in the disaster.

Maria Leah Sajili, from the regional Bureau of Fire Protection, ⁠told reporters that, of the 21 ​people reported missing, five people were confirmed ​trapped.

Two of the five were communicating with rescuers, but ​the status of the others was not immediately clear.

Rescue efforts, using trained rescue dogs, ‌heartbeat detection devices and heavy equipment to sift through the debris, have continued, but operations will become more challenging after dark, Ms Sajili said.

Officials said ​an investigation had been launched into what caused the collapse in the city of Angeles, north of ​the capital, Manila on Luzon, the nation's largest and most populous island.

Before it came down on Sunday, the multi-storey building had been under construction in the city of Angeles, north of the capital Manila.

Earlier, Ms Sajili said around 23 people were trapped.

Pictures have been published of rescuers climbing over a mound of concrete slabs and mangled steel, covered in green ‌netting, searching for survivors.

A total of 24 people have been pulled out of the site, a figure that includes others who were nearby.

Those rescued included a 51-year-old Malaysian national who was staying in a nearby budget hotel.

It was damaged when the concrete structure came down, Jay Pelayo, the Angeles city information officer, was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Mr Pelayo had earlier told DZBB radio that he believed 30 to 40 people were feared trapped, after he talked to a site foreman who escaped.

It is not clear why the building collapsed and the cause is being investigated.

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According to records, a 10th floor was being built to put a pool on top of the approved condo-hotel.

Ambulances were on standby, and fire engines had been sent to help in the rescue effort, Mr Pelayo said, adding that moving the concrete debris was hampering rescuers.

(c) Sky News 2026: Philippines: At least one dead and more than 20 trapped after unfinished building collapses in Philippine