At least four dead, dozens trapped as Philippine construction site crumbles PHOTO

At least four people have died after an unfinished building collapsed in the Philippines, while rescue teams continue searching for 17 others believed to be trapped beneath the rubble, authorities said.

The nine-storey structure collapsed on May 24 in the city of Angeles, north of the capital Manila, on the island of Luzon, Sky News reports.

Rescue crews pulled three people from the debris on Monday, though two of the men were already dead. Emergency personnel attempted unsuccessfully to revive the third victim before transporting him away in an ambulance.

Among those killed was a 65-year-old Malaysian national whose body was recovered from a neighbouring hotel damaged in the collapse.

Maria Leah Sajili of the regional Bureau of Fire Protection told reporters on Sunday that five of the missing individuals had been confirmed trapped beneath the rubble.

According to Sajili, two of those trapped had established contact with rescuers, while the condition of the others remained unclear.

Search and rescue operations have continued using trained rescue dogs, heartbeat detection devices, and heavy equipment to sift through concrete and twisted steel. Sajili warned, however, that efforts would become more difficult after nightfall.

Authorities said an investigation has been launched into the cause of the collapse.

Rescuers have been forced to climb over piles of shattered concrete slabs and mangled steel beams covered in green netting in their search for survivors.

Officials said that, as of May 24, some 24 people had been rescued from the site, including individuals who were in nearby buildings when the structure came down.

Among those rescued was a 51-year-old Malaysian national staying at a nearby budget hotel, which sustained damage during the collapse, according to Angeles city information officer Jay Pelayo.

Pelayo earlier said that between 30 and 40 people were initially feared trapped, citing information from a site foreman who escaped the disaster.

Relatives of those missing expressed frustration over the pace of the rescue efforts.

“If only the rescuers could call out his name, he might still respond, so I'd have something to hold on to, some hope,” said 47-year-old Lea Casilao, whose husband is believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.

Another relative, Noby Batar, appealed for information about her husband Emmanuel.

“Manny, if you're not among the dead, please just show yourself. We're here, and we don't know whether you're alive or not,” she said. “This is so difficult for us because we don't know what to do.”

According to official records, construction was underway on a 10th floor intended to house a swimming pool atop the approved condo-hotel complex.

Ambulances and fire engines remain stationed at the scene as rescue operations continue, though officials said the movement of heavy concrete debris is slowing efforts to reach survivors.

By Vafa Guliyeva