Two people feared trapped after a building collapse in the Philippines were alive and communicating with rescuers on Sunday (May 24), an official said, as rescue efforts continued.

The number rescued in the collapse of the nine-storey building under construction, including those in the vicinity, has risen to 24, with no deaths reported, Jay Pelayo, information officer Angeles City north of the capital Manila, told Reuters.

Among the rescued was a 51-year-old Malaysian national who was staying in a nearby budget hotel, which was damaged when the concrete structure collapsed.

It was unclear how many were still feared trapped, with a site engineer saying 19 people had been working at the site, Pelayo said. "We are trying to determine whether all 19 were there."

He had told DZBB radio that 30 to 40 people were feared trapped, based on information from a site foreman who was among those who escaped.

It was not immediately clear what caused the collapse, but the city engineer was reviewing the construction history, Pelayo said, adding that moving the concrete debris was a challenge for rescuers.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

ANGELES, PAMPANGA PROVINCE, PHILIPPINES (MAY 24, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. RESCUE PERSONNEL WALKING TOWARD SITE OF COLLAPSED BUILDING

2. VARIOUS OF RUBBLE, DEBRIS OF COLLAPSED BUILDING

3. RESCUE PERSONNEL WALKING

4. TENT SET UP BY POLICE NEAR SITE OF COLLAPSED BUILDING