CCTV footage captures Malate laundry shop blast

Editor’s note: The following story contains material that may be disturbing.

THE explosion that hit a laundry shop near the De La Salle University in Malate, Manila on Monday was captured via CCTV. 

In the CCTV footage provided by Barangay 709, the blast can be likened to a bomb being detonated. The force of the explosion destroyed the walls of an establishment and left several people injured.

According to Barangay 708 Chairman Roderick Relivo, people in the area first heard a loud explosion. This was followed by glass shattering and walls coming down. People were also thrown by the force of the blast and were left bloodied.

“Bandang alas siyete po ng gabi kasalukuyang nakatambay po kami sa parking lot, bigla na lang po kaming narinig na malakas na pagsabog. Nung inalam ko po kung saan galing, nakita ko po itong building na ‘to kasama ‘yung 360 laundry shop, nakita ko naglalabasan na ‘yung mga estudyante,” Relivo said.

The Bureau of Fire Protection has yet to release a report on the cause of the explosion that left 20 injured, some severely.

The victims were brought to the Philippine General Hospital, Ospital ng Maynila, and Adventist Medical Center.

Relivo said similar incidents had happened in the same area in the past.

In 2020, the same establishment previously housed a cafe that burned down. Two years after, in November 2022, a gas leak explosion occurred at a laundry shop just nearby.

DLSU statement

In a statement, the DLSU said all those injured in the blast have now been released, but the security guard had to stay for further treatment. It also said the university did not sustain any damage in the incident.

“All affected students were discharged last night while a security guard was admitted to the hospital. Upon inspection, there was no damage to University property,” it said.

It also pleaded to the public to refrain from spreading unverified information about the incident.

“We request that the community members observe prudence in sharing unverified posts and videos that may be distressing to those who have been affected by the incident and to the general public,” it said.

Photo by Izel Abanilla