of SSI, the firm that employed 37 of the 38 victims, for failing to comply with the labor inspection standards on fire protection. International SSI issued a statement confirming that 37 victims were employees of the firm. SSI CEO Gary Laben announced that the firm will arrange counseling for its employees and will assist in the funeral arrangements for the victims. Laben added that a fund will be created to assist the families of the victims. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe offered his condolences to the victims. Abe added that Japan is willing to provide assistance. On December 27, 2017, Mayor Duterte announced that representatives from the Chinese government would visit Davao City to provide assistance to the families of the victims. These representatives visited Davao City on January 10, 2018, and met with Mayor Duterte. Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua announced that the Chinese government offered to the families of the victims. Aftermath The Bureau of Fire Protection assessed the entire building of the NCCC Mall Davao was totally damaged, except for the ground floor. The upper floors collapsed on top of each other, which made it difficult for firefighters to conduct their search and retrieval operations. As such, it was recommended that the 14-year old mall to be demolished since the building may potentially collapse entirely. NCCC management applied for demolition on February 2, 2018, and commenced on May 19 of the same year after the building had been vacated and all utility lines such as electric, gas, telephone and water installations had been disconnected. As of November 2018, the mall complex has been totally torn down, including the building which housed a McDonald's branch, which was torn down later. The NCCC has stated that there are plans to build a new mall at the site. A high-rise condominium and a newer version of NCCC Mall will take its place. Construction of the replacement NCCC Mall commenced in July 2021, with target completion in 2024. See also List of fires Ozone Disco Club fire – worst fire in the Philippines, happened in 1996 Other incidents involving any shopping malls: 2007 Glorietta explosion 2020 Greenhills hostage crisis References Davao City mall fire Davao City mall fire Defunct shopping malls Davao City mall fire History of Davao City Davao City mall fire Davao City mall fire