MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – An Australian woman was hurt after being hit by debris from the demolition site of the Mandarin Oriental Manila hotel in Makati City on Friday, November 27.

Makati Public Safety Department officer-in-charge Elmer Cabrera told Rappler on the phone that Suzanne Mellor was walking on the arcaded sidewalk along Paseo de Roxas Avenue at 1 pm on Friday when she was hit by debris from the demolition site.

She was conscious when she was rushed to the Makati Medical Center (MMC) for treatment of wounds on her head and right ankle.

Cabrera said a Toyota Fortuner was also damaged by the hotel debris. While the passengers were not hurt, driver Deborah Escover, so she and her husband were escorted by authorities to the MMC for a check-up as well, he added.

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel group earlier announced the closure and demolition of the Makati hotel to give way to a new one to be developed and owned by Ayalaland Hotels & Resorts, a unit of property giant Ayala Land.

Investigation ongoing

In a statement, Ayala Hotels Inc president Al Legaspi said they have already asked the onsite contractor, JLC Construction, to provide a full account of the incident.

“We regret that this incident happened and we assure the public that we are continuously taking measures to ensure the safety of the surrounding area and the well-being of all people affected,” Legaspi said.

Acting Makati Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña has ordered a temporary halt on the hotel demolition as authorities investigate the incident.

He also ordered a one-way scheme along Paseo de Roxas Avenue, from Makati Avenue going to Buendia Avenue over the weekend to prevent motorists and pedestrians from being harmed.

He lifted the one-way traffic scheme order on Tuesday but advised pedestrians to avoid the area for their safety. – Rappler.com