Thirty-four individuals were reportedly sent to the hospital after a portion of the second-floor of St. Peter Parish Church in Brgy. Tungkong Mangga, San Jose del Monte Bulacan, collapsed on the morning of Ash Wednesday, February 14.
JUST IN: Pangalawang palapag ng St. Peter Parish Church sa Brgy. Tungkong Mangga, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan bumagsak ngayong umaga ng Ash Wednesday; ilang mga nagsisimba, sugatan | DZRH News pic.twitter.com/Qpb2CnHU9z
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According to San Jose Del Monte Mayor Arthur Robes, mass goers were lining up for the marking of ashes when a part of the church's second floor suddenly collapsed.
"Puno ang simbahan dahil Ash Wednesday. Kaya swerte lang talaga ang ang portion na nasa ilalim ay hindi totally bagsak ng sabay-sabay. Kumbaga isang portion ang bumagsak kaya dahan-dahan ang paghulog," Robes said in an interview during DZRH Damdaming Bayan.
"Maglalagay pa lang po sana ng abo kaya nakapila yung mga tao sa area. Mabait naman po si Lord at ganoon lang po ang nangyare," he added.
Robes said the collapsed portion of the church was an extension built 30 years ago.
"Ang isang portion na 'to ay isang extension lang na ginawa. Ito ay kahoy pala, hindi namin alam na kahoy ang area na ito," he said.
The church-goers sustained wounds in the hands, arms, and heads.
The San Jose Del Monte mayor said injured victims would receive medical assistance from the city government.
