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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider 'We thought it was the end of the world' - Bulacan church collapse survivors

'We thought it was the end of the world' - Bulacan church collapse survivors

Published Feb 14, 2024 06:00 am

"Akala namin katapusan na ng mundo at matatabunan na kami at walang makakaligtas sa amin." (We thought it was the end of the world and all of us will be buried and no one will survive)." 

This was how a student, one of the churchgoers at the St. Peter Apostle Parish Church in the City of San Jose Del Monte (CSJDM) described how he and the other parishioners felt during the unexpected collapse of the wooden second floor of the church while in the middle of Ash Wednesday Holy Mass on Wednesday, Feb. 14.

The churchgoers screamed upon hearing a sound similar to a cyclone tearing off the church's roof. After that, the church's second floor collpased, hitting many of them. 

CSJDM police assess the church's collapsed.jpg
City of San Jose Del Monte police and City Engineers office inspected the debris on the second floor of St, Peter Parish Church that collapsed in the middle of a Holy Mass on Ash Wednesday, February 14, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Ivan Mallare CSJDM PIO)

CSJDM Mayor Arthur Robes said the injured victims were rushed to the hospitals.

The city government of San Jose del Monte has promised to pay for the hospital bills of the victims. 

Robes said at least 44 people were rushed to nearby different hospitals due to their injuries.

As of 9: 35 a.m., 24 parishioners were brought to CSJDM Hospital; eight to Tala Hospital;  five to Brigino General Hospital; three to Skyline Hospital; two to  Labro Diagnostic Venter, and one to Grace General Hospital. 

The CDJDM police, the Bureau of Fire Protection, Engineers Office, City Traffic Management-Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group, the City Health Office, and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) head Gina Ayson immediately responded to the incident.

The 44 churchgoers rushed to different hospitals reportedly sustained only minor injuries. One remained in critical condition. 

Police said the church has been temporarily closed while the assessment of the engineering office is ongoing.
 

The St Peter the Apostle Parish Church was established in 1994. 

 

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