ANGELES CITY, Pampanga — The death toll from the collapse of a nine-story building under construction in Angeles City has risen to 28 after rescue and retrieval teams recovered another victim from the massive pile of debris more than two weeks after the disaster struck.
Authorities confirmed the latest fatality was recovered during continuing search, rescue, and retrieval operations at the site in Barangay Balibago, where hundreds of responders from various government agencies have been working around the clock since the structure collapsed before dawn on May 24.
The latest recovery pushes the confirmed death toll to 28, making the tragedy one of the deadliest building collapses in recent Philippine history. Rescue personnel continue to clear debris and inspect sections of the wreckage as efforts persist to account for all individuals believed to have been at or near the site when the structure gave way.
The building, located along Teodoro Street in Balibago, was reportedly nearing completion when it suddenly collapsed at around 2:30 a.m. Investigators said many construction workers were asleep inside the structure at the time of the incident. The collapse also damaged nearby establishments, including a hotel and other structures in the area.
Among the victims identified in earlier recoveries were construction workers, nearby vendors, an infant, and a Malaysian national who was staying in an adjacent lodging facility when debris struck the building next door.
Search operations have faced significant challenges due to unstable concrete slabs, twisted steel reinforcements, and concerns that additional movement within the debris field could endanger responders. Rescue teams have relied on a combination of heavy equipment, specialized search devices, K9 units, and manual excavation techniques throughout the operation.
The tragedy prompted a large-scale response involving the Bureau of Fire Protection, local government units, police personnel, engineers, and volunteers. Authorities established a unified command structure to coordinate recovery efforts and ensure the safety of responders working in hazardous conditions.
Investigations into the cause of the collapse remain ongoing.
Government agencies, including the Department of Public Works and Highways and law enforcement authorities, have launched separate inquiries to determine whether structural deficiencies, construction violations, or permit-related issues contributed to the disaster. Preliminary reports indicated that the project had been approved as a nine-story condo-hotel, but questions have emerged regarding construction activities reportedly taking place on an additional level.
The collapse has also renewed calls for stricter enforcement of building regulations and workplace safety standards, particularly for large construction projects. Labor and engineering experts have emphasized the need for comprehensive reviews of construction practices to prevent similar incidents in the future.
For residents and business owners in Angeles City, the disaster has had far-reaching effects. Road closures, restricted access to parts of Balibago, and ongoing recovery activities have disrupted daily operations in one of the city’s busiest commercial districts. The tragedy has also left dozens of families grieving as they await answers from investigators and support for affected relatives.
As recovery operations continue, authorities have reiterated their commitment to locating all remaining victims and completing a thorough investigation into what caused the structure to collapse.
