At least two people died and 17 others were injured after a three-story building collapsed near a Brooklyn construction site on Wednesday afternoon, the FDNY said.
Rescuers search Flatbush debris
The collapse occurred at about 4 p.m. on November 11 at 1321 Bedford Avenue in Flatbush.
The mixed-use building held retail space on the ground floor and residential units above. It fell into an excavation site at 2625 Bedford Avenue. A previous one-story building had been demolished there for new construction.
More than 250 firefighters and emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene. Rescuers used drones, search dogs, and chainsaws to find survivors in the debris. One victim, a child, was removed from the rubble on a stretcher.
Due to a partial building collapse, please avoid the area surrounding Bedford Avenue and Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. Expect street closures, traffic delays, and consider alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/03mjZm3TjI
Rescue workers continued their search with flashlights as darkness fell. Aerial footage showed bricks and timber filling the nearby construction pit.
Witnesses told local media that loud noises similar to a bomb explosion and screams accompanied the collapse.
My heart breaks for the family who lost a loved one in today’s building collapse in Brooklyn. I’m keeping them in my thoughts and praying for everyone affected. My administration has reached out and offered its full support as authorities investigate what happened.
“Not only are there precarious ruins, but there are also dangerous voids beneath the ground,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who praised the emergency responders.
Two people died and many others were injured
Two people died in the incident. The 17 injuries included seven children. Those seven children are in stable condition. Four of those injured are in critical condition.
I joined @fdny and emergency crews at the scene of today's tragic building collapse on Flatbush Avenue. Two of our neighbors have lost their lives, and at least 17 others have been injured, including one firefighter. My heart is with the families and loved ones mourning those we…
New York City Emergency Management and the American Red Cross set up a temporary reception center at the Flatbush YMCA. This center provides assistance to residents affected by the accident.
Mayor Mamdani said certain roads in the area were closed. He urged the public to avoid the area near Flatbush Avenue and Bedford Avenue.
Officials probe construction site
Authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse.
The cause is unconfirmed. City government records show the site had a violation from the Department of Buildings in April. That violation was for continuing construction after receiving a stop-work order.
First responders are on the scene of a building collapse on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, where they are working quickly to secure the location and assist New Yorkers. Flatbush Avenue is closed from Clarendon Road to Bedford Avenue – please avoid the area so rescue crews can…
Officials asked the architect, owner, and general contractor associated with the adjacent project to respond to the investigation. What caused the building to fall into the excavation site is not yet known.
Earlier coverage: At Least Two Dead and 17 Injured in Brooklyn Building Collapse