Building Collapse in Philippines Traps Over 20 People

More than 20 people have been trapped under the rubble of a building under construction in the Philippines that collapsed, officials said, as rescue efforts continued.

A nine-storey building under construction collapsed in Angeles City, north of the Philippine capital Manila, early Sunday morning local time.

Maria Leah Sajili, information officer at the regional Bureau of Fire Protection, told a press briefing that five people were confirmed trapped, including two in contact with rescuers, and 18 more were feared under the rubble.

"We have a figure of 18 workers from the list of construction workers on duty today, but no feedback yet from their families," she said.

Twenty-four people have been rescued since the collapse and no deaths have been reported.

Among those rescued was a 51-year-old Malaysian national who was staying ​​in ​​a nearby budget hotel, which was damaged when the concrete structure collapsed.

Among the rescued was a 51-year-old Malaysian national who was staying in a nearby budget hotel, which was damaged when the concrete structure collapsed, Jay Pelayo, the Angeles city information officer, told Reuters in a phone interview.

He had earlier told the Manila-based DZBB radio station that 30 to 40 people were feared trapped, based on information from a site foreman who was among those who escaped.

Officials said the cause of the collapse is under investigation, but records showed the building was intended as a nine-storey condo-hotel under the approved permit, but a 10th floor for a pool was being constructed.

Mr Pelayo also said rescue efforts could be challenging as the structure was made of concrete, making it difficult to move debris.

Photos shared by the Angeles City Information Office showed the building reduced to a heap of concrete and twisted metal, covered in green netting.

"The assessment is not yet finished. The unified command system is still working on it, and it is too early to determine the cause of the collapse, which is still being evaluated," Mr Pelayo said.

"Powerlines were hit and were now being secured. We are calling on residents in the area to cooperate with authorities so rescue operations for those trapped are not delayed, and no-one else is put at risk," he said.