1 dead, 63 injured in Bulacan church collapse

Photo from the Facebook account of the City of San Jose del Monte Public Information Office

MANILA, Philippines — One person died and 63 others were injured on Ash Wednesday following the collapse of the second floor of a church in San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan, according to the district Rep. Rida Robes on Wednesday.

The number of people initially reported injured increased from 44 to 63.

“We have 63 casualties, 63 plus one. One has already died,” Robes said in Filipino at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing.

According to the City’s Public Information Office, the fatality was 80-year-old Luneta Morales, who was part of the church choir.

During Ash Wednesday mass in the St. Peter Apostle Parish Church, the second floor of the building suddenly collapsed on the attendees.

READ: 44 injured after second floor of Bulacan church collapses

Robes said that she had been visiting those injured, some of whom were in private hospitals while others were in public ones.