CEBU CITY (Updated 8 a.m.) -- Five construction workers died and six others were injured when a portion of a mall, which is still under construction in Cebu City, reportedly collapsed early Wednesday morning.
A Bombo Radyo report identified the fatalities as Donny Dilan and his brother Christian, Teodolfo Ditomal, Lindon Melendrez and Arjay Ceniza. Four died on the spot while the other one was proclaimed dead in the hospital.
City Disaster Coordinating Council (CCDC) technical staff Romulo Guaring said all eleven victims were hit by the collapsed firewall at past 1 a.m.
The construction workers were employees of CYC Construction, contractor of the Gaisano Capital mall in Barangay Tisa, Cebu City.
Construction lead man and survivor Jezrel Villena said the victims were working overtime to finish the firewall at the right side wing of the building facing the main road.
"Natingala nalang sila (victims) nga kalit ug tangtang ang finishing ug natumba paingon nila (the victims were surprised that the cement finished on top of the firewall suddenly collapsed towards them)," Villena said.
Villena added that the firewall along with the victims fell to the ground, 30 feet high. Villena said he was able to run after seeing the firewall going down. "It only took seconds," he said.
He said most of the victims were able to hold at a nearby electric post while some were covered by piles of cement debris from the collapsed firewall.
CCDC said no civilian was reported injured or killed by the incident since the firewall was facing the accessing road leading to the interior portion of the barangay.
The five casualties were brought to St. Francis Funeral Homes while Arnel Pasable, Jerome Seyosi, Roel Pasahi, Noel Lusero and Joy Manseras are still under medical observation at the Cebu City Medical Center.
Inspectors from the Office of the Building Official of Cebu City have conducted initial investigation at the construction site. (JTG/Sunnex)