A 17-year-old scavenger in Manila is fighting for his life after a dilapidated house collapsed on him, resulting in the traumatic amputation of his hand and leg. The incident occurred in the Tondo district, a densely populated area where many residents rely on scavenging for survival.
Emergency responders rushed the teenager to a nearby hospital, where he remains in critical condition. The abandoned structure, long neglected and structurally unsound, gave way without warning while the youth was inside searching for recyclable materials.
"These abandoned buildings are death traps," said a local barangay official who requested anonymity. "We've been warning residents for months, but poverty forces people to take these risks."
This tragedy highlights the dangerous conditions faced by Manila's urban poor, who often turn to scavenging in unstable structures to earn a meager living. Community leaders are calling for immediate action to secure or demolish derelict buildings throughout the city.
Hospital staff report that while the teenager's condition has stabilized, he faces a long and difficult recovery ahead. Local organizations have begun collecting donations to support his medical expenses and rehabilitation.