MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – At least 3 people were killed and 33 injured when a water tank collapsed and exploded in San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan on Friday, October 6.

City police director Superintendent Fitz Macariola said the water tank in Barangay Muzon collapsed at around 3:30 am. The tank exploded when it hit the ground, causing damage to life and property in the village.

The tank was 13 meters in height, 14 meters in diameter, and had the capacity to carry 2,000 cubic meters of water.

Macariola told Rappler that police and the city’s water district personnel were surprised by the incident since  the water tank was “fairly new” or  installed not more than 10 years ago. 

“‘Yung pagbigay ay ‘di parang isang portion lang, kundi kabuuan kasi totally na-uproot ‘yung base ng semento (It didn’t collapse in just one portion, but the whole base of the cement was totally uprooted),” Macariola said.

Investigators are looking into the cause of the collapse.

Some motorcyles and vehicles that were moved from their original parking area after they were swept away by the gushing water. A jeepney parked near the tank was flattened.

Senator Joel Villanueva, a native of Bulacan, urged local and other concerned officials to probe the incident.

“We urge the local officials of San Jose del Monte and the proper authorities to investigate the fatal incident which might have been caused by utter neglect on the part of those responsible in the monitoring and maintenance of the water tank’s condition,” Villanueva said in a statement. – Rappler.com