A portion of a building under demolition collapsed yesterday, killing two workers and forcing another to jump off the structure to save himself.
The accident took place in the busy street of Mabini in Malate, Manila around 9:30 a.m. and led to the closure of the road directly in front of the area.
Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso rushed to the scene and deployed an emergency response team to assess the situation.
Edson Ison, a construction worker, was brought to a nearby hospital after jumping off the building, according to Domagoso. He’s one of 19 workers who managed to flee outside the collapsing structure.
The bodies of Melson Ison and Jerome Fabrello were later pulled out of the rubble. Rescuers said they were pinned to death by a beam.
The six-storey building is owned by a popular motel chain whose branch in the nearby Adriatico Street was ordered temporarily closed by Domagoso.
A 22-man crew started the demolition work last month based on a permit issued by city hall on Aug. 2.
Two floors had been demolished before the accident.
Julie Vallo, a 49-year-old witness, said she was having breakfast with her husband, a tricycle driver, in front of the establishment.
“Narinig ko nalang biglang may gumuguho, siguro mga five minutes ‘yun,” she said. “Nakita ko, may dumungaw sa building, tumatakbo, sumisigaw, nadaganan daw yung kasama nya.” (Joseph Pedrajas)
