Death toll rises to three, 17 still missing after Philippines building collapse

Rescuers pulled two people from the rubble of a collapsed building under ‌construction in the Philippines, bringing the death toll to three, Reuters reported citing local authorities.

Crews on Monday continued search and rescue operations after overnight scans detected signs of life beneath the debris.

One of the two victims had a pulse ​when he was retrieved, but later died, Maria Leah Sajili, information officer at the regional ​Bureau of Fire Protection, told Reuters in a phone interview, while another suffered cardiac ⁠arrest while still trapped.

Officials said an investigation is now underway into what caused the collapse ​of the multi-storey building in the city of Angeles, north of the capital, Manila.

The number of missing stood at 17, most of them construction ​workers listed as being on duty at the site, Sajili said.

Planning records showed the building that collapsed was intended as a nine-storey condo-hotel under the approved permit, but that a swimming pool was being constructed on an additional 10th floor, authorities said.

Angeles City Mayor Carmelo ​Lazatin told reporters that ​authorities were trying to ⁠locate the building owner to get answers, including clarity on the number of workers at the site.