12 dead as Bulacan wall collapses

GUIGUINTO, Bulacan, Philippines – The wall of a warehouse being constructed in Barangay Ilang-ilang in this town collapsed yesterday afternoon, killing at least 12 people and injuring five others.

Witnesses said at least 14 people were trapped when the eight-foot high wall collapsed around 3:30 p.m. As of press time, the identities of the casualties and injured were being verified.

Police investigator Ariel Modelo confirmed that at least 12 people were killed in the accident. He also said that the number of dead and injured could still increase as rescue and retrieval operations were ongoing.

Liz Mungcal, executive officer of the provincial disaster risk reduction and management office, cannot yet ascertain what caused the collapse of the structure. 

But Senior Superintendent Ferdinand Divina, Bulacan Police provincial director, said initial reports showed that the wall collapsed on the barracks of construction workers.

A certain Dante Chua owns the warehouse, reports said.