(Eagle News) — The death toll in the water tank explosion in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan on Friday rose to three, while the number of those injured reached over 40, as authorities looked for answers to the question who could be held liable.
In a radio interview, Supt. Fritz Macariola, San Jose Del Monte police chief, said the recent fatalities in the incident that saw raging waters escape from the steel container in Barangay Muzon around 3 a.m. were a “17- to 19-year-old female,” and a one-year-old baby.
Earlier, Gina Ayson Su, chief of the San Jose del Monte disaster risk reduction management office, said Jimmy Garcia, a 60-year-old police aide, also died after he was hit by debris floating in the raging waters.
Macariola earlier said 33 were so far injured, but this has risen to over 40.
Many of the injured, Su said, were children sleeping in the “eight to ten” houses near the tank that burst due to “pressure.”
San Jose del Monte Mayor Arthur Robes, who rushed to the site, said the San Jose del Monte Water District that operates the tank will shoulder the expenses of the families of those killed and injured.
“Kung ano pwede itulong (ng city government) sa mga tinamaan, tutulong kami,” Robes said.
As for who could be held liable for the incident, Robes said authorities are looking at the possible liability of those in the water district, which is under the Local Water Utilities Administration.
“Hihingi tayo ng tulong sa (Department of Public Works and Highways) para kasama natin sila sa pagevaluate kung paano sumabog ito,” Robes said, noting that the tank—which Su said served the Kelsey Subdivision in Barangay Muzon, and “as high as a two-storey building” that could fit two houses—was only seven years old.
Asked if those who built the water tank obtained the necessary permits from city hall, Robes said he was unsure as he just assumed a year and a half ago.
“It’s hightime for the city government na ang mga ganitong structure dapat bantayan,” he said, admitting that there were other tanks operated by the district that had a similar design in other places within his jurisdiction.