Affected residents look for their belongings that were swept away when the huge water tank collapsed. Photo from Caloocan PIO
Water tank collapsed, 2 elderly hurt in Caloocan
TWO elderly citizens were hurt while five houses and 10 vehicles were damaged when a huge water tank collapsed Saturday before dawn in Caloocan City.
Caloocan City Mayor Oscar “Oca” Malapitan personally inspected the collapsed water tank located along Lilac Street, Phase 1, Palmera, Bgy. 175 which he said was caused by the continuous heavy downpour.
In a report submitted by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (CDRRMD) to the office of the mayor, the incident happened at around 4:15 a.m., more than 30 minutes before an earthquake struck at around 4:49 a.m.
The CDRRMD said one of the factors being considered that caused the collapse of the huge tank was the softening of the ground due to heavy rains.
Witnesses told Malapitan that a large volume of water burst and swept through five residential houses and at least 10 vehicles, causing minor injuries to two senior citizens.
Representatives of Prime Water Infrastructure Corp. that operates and maintains a water supply system in the area vowed to Malapitan to shoulder all the expenses incurred in providing medical assistance to the two elderly victims, as well as repairs of the damaged houses and vehicles.
