A suspected illegal fireworks factory explodes and catches fire in Malasiqui, Pangasinan, killing five people, including children, according to reports. The blast and subsequent flames occur in an area described as a field, with residents hearing a loud explosion followed by bursts of fire in the evening.
GMA News Online reports the death toll as five and includes an eight-year-old girl among the victims. Inquirer.net first reports an incident in the same location as leaving four dead and one missing, citing a statement from Malasiqui Vice Mayor Daria Dolores Mamaril and noting that identities are not yet confirmed. In a follow-up, Inquirer.net says the fatalities increase to five after authorities retrieve an additional body, adding two minors and two adults described as part of the family renting the property.
Across outlets, the incident is framed as a suspected illegal fireworks operation, but they differ on whether deaths are reported as four with one missing or already confirmed as five, reflecting the timing of updates and the recovery of remains.
