For Catholics, Feb. 14 this year is Ash Wednesday and for Catholics in the Philippines, Ash Wednesday means going to church at the beginning of the season of Lent.
However, a section of a church balcony in San Jose del Monte in Bulacan province, north of Manila, collapsed while Ash Wednesday morning mass was underway, killing one and injuring at least 52.
Authorities said that part of the wooden gallery of St. Peter the Apostle Parish in the city's Tungkong Mangga neighborhood collapsed at around 07:00 local time (23:00 UTC). Witnesses also claimed that they heard some in the congregation screaming before the floor collapsed.
According to local media, an 80-year-old woman inside the church suffered blunt force trauma and was taken to hospital in a critical condition but later died.
Church Calls Off Ash Wednesday Masses After Partial Collapse
As a result of the incident, the parish involved announced that they have closed the church until further notice and canceled subsequent services as ordered by San Jose del Monte Mayor Arthur Robes to have the church undergo a structural assessment by city officials, the Manila Standard reported.
San Jose del Monte emergency management head Gina Ayson said that the small church was packed with roughly 400 visitors during the service.
"It collapsed because of the weight of the parishioners that flocked to the church this morning," she said.
Ayson added that the gallery that collapsed was weakened by termites after emergency service crews discovered an infestation in the collapsed portion that ate away the insides.
Bishop to Bulacan Priests: Check Your Church Structures
Malolos Bishop Dennis Villarojo issued an official statement regretting the incident, saying that the families of those affected by the collapse were being assisted by the Diocese of Malolos - which is coterminous with the province of Bulacan - and the pastors of the parish, the Rev. Romulo Perez and the Rev. Divino Cayanan.
"The City authorities are currently investigating the incident and the parish church is closed until further notice," Villarojo said. "I have also instructed all parish priests to check their parish structures, considering the great number of faithful coming every year to Lenten celebrations."
"We pray for the eternal repose of the faithful departed and we offer our sincere condolences and assurance of assistance to the family. As we pray for healing and consolation to all those affected, we invoke the consoling motherly care of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the steadfast faith of St. Peter."
