Collapsed building death toll hits 21

ANGELES CITY, Philippines — Four more fatalities including an infant were pulled out from the collapsed building in this city yesterday, bringing the total number of casualties to 21.

The Bureau of Fire Protection-Central Luzon reported that three bodies were recovered within minutes of each other between 1:13 p.m. and 1:19 p.m.

The body of the infant was retrieved at 6:01 p.m.

Earlier, responders pulled three bodies from the rubble between 1:56 a.m. and 4:08 a.m.

Meanwhile, the body of a dog was also recovered at 1:34 a.m.

All recovered bodies were immediately turned over to the City Health Office to undergo proper handling, documentation and disaster victim
identification protocols.

Search, rescue, retrieval and clearing operations continue around the clock, as responders carefully work through the remaining debris, observing strict safety protocols to protect personnel operating within the site. — Ric Sapnu