24 Rescued Alive After Philippines Building Collapse

Rescuers in Angeles City, Philippines are celebrating an extraordinary outcome after a nine-story building collapsed early Sunday morning. All 24 people pulled from the rubble so far are alive, and two people still trapped are talking with rescue teams.

The building under construction came down in Angeles City, north of Manila. Within hours, emergency crews had established communication with survivors still buried beneath tons of concrete and twisted metal.

"They are in constant communication," said Jay Pelayo, an information officer for Angeles City. "Our rescuers are doing their best to pull the survivors out of the rubble."

Among those rescued was a 51-year-old Malaysian guest at a nearby budget hotel, which took damage when the structure fell. Engineers estimate 19 workers were on site when the collapse happened, though crews continue searching to confirm everyone is accounted for.

The rescue operation faces real challenges. The concrete structure makes moving debris slow and dangerous work, requiring careful coordination to avoid further collapse or injury.

The Bright Side

In disasters like this, the early hours are critical. Every person brought out alive represents skilled teamwork, quick response, and the determination of rescue crews who won't give up. The fact that trapped survivors can communicate gives rescuers vital information about conditions underground and helps them work more efficiently.

No deaths have been reported. That single fact stands as a testament to both luck and the rapid response of local emergency teams who mobilized immediately after the collapse.

Local authorities have secured damaged powerlines and asked residents to cooperate with rescue operations. The city engineer will review the building's construction history to determine what caused the collapse, but right now the focus remains on the people still waiting for help.

Photos from the scene show the massive scale of destruction, with the building reduced to a mountain of concrete covered in green safety netting. Yet underneath that rubble, voices continue calling out, and rescuers continue answering.

The unified command system continues assessing the situation as search and rescue operations push forward into the night.