Death toll in apartment explosion in upscale Manila district rises to 6
MANILA, Philippines – The death toll from a powerful explosion that ripped through an upscale apartment complex in the Philippine capital has risen to six, including the crew of a passing delivery van that was hit by debris, authorities said Saturday. The explosion Friday night punched a large hole in the wall of the apartment building and sent concrete chunks flying onto the street below, which was teeming with pedestrians. Three people in the van were crushed to death. The Office of Civil defense said three more bodies were recovered at the Serendra building, a plush condominium complex surrounded by restaurants and shops in Taguig city in metropolitan Manila. Five others, including a 9-year-old, were injured. Authorities were initially looking into a gas supply issue, and residents were kept out of other buildings as officials assessed the supply maintenance. A telephone operator at the Taguig