A ferry boat passes by Binondo district, about 6 Kilometres from Bulacan province on Feb 7, 2024, Manila, Philippines. (PHOTO / AP)
MANILA- An 80-year-old woman died and over 50 people were injured after the wooden second floor of a Roman Catholic church in Bulacan province, north of Manila, collapsed on Wednesday morning, officials said.
ALSO READ: At least 5 killed in landslide in southern Philippines
City Mayor Arthur Robes told reporters that the woman was critically injured and died at the hospital.
READ MORE: Rift intensifies between Philippines president and Duterte family
Gina Ayson, head of the San Jose del Monte City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, said that the accident occurred around 7:20 am local time (2320 GMT on Tuesday) as Catholics packed the church to celebrate Ash Wednesday.
READ MORE: Marcos: Philippines won't assist in ICC's drugs war probe
Ayson initially reported that only 34 people were injured, mostly suffering from bruises and shoulder pain. But after an assessment, the disaster-prevention office increased the number of injured people to more than 50.