New York: A three-story building collapsed near a construction site in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. At least two people died in the incident, and several others sustained injuries. According to officials, rescue teams are searching for individuals trapped under the debris.
Firefighters arrived at the scene in Brooklyn’s Flatbush neighborhood around 4:00 PM on Wednesday. Footage captured by news helicopters showed dozens of firefighters searching through the wreckage. They were seen climbing over the debris, using their hands and power saws to clear away the collapsed structural elements.
Two dead, 10 injured in the incident
According to officials, two people were killed in the building collapse. At least four others were transported to the hospital in serious condition, while six others were hospitalized with minor injuries.
Around 6:30 PM, firefighters pulled a dust-covered individual alive from a pit within the debris. The person was placed on a stretcher and transported to a hospital by ambulance.
The collapsed building was situated on the edge of a vacant lot where a single-story structure had previously been demolished to make way for a construction project. Excavation work was underway at the site. Following the collapse, debris—including bricks and timber—fell into the excavation pit.
An adjacent building, which shared a wall with the collapsed structure, remained standing. However, a portion of its wall also gave way, exposing the interior rooms—including a bedroom and closets filled with clothing. Rescue teams searched for people in the debris with the help of drones and the-sniffing dogs. Firefighters removed large pieces of rubble by hand. The operation continued even after dark, with emergency personnel carrying out rescue efforts by the light of flashlights.
New York official urges public to stay away from the scene
Following the incident, the New York Police Department (NYPD) urged local residents and commuters to stay away from the area around Bedford Avenue and Flatbush Avenue. In a post on the social media platform X, the police stated that roads in the vicinity would remain closed and traffic could be affected. Motorists were advised to use alternative routes to ensure that rescue workers could carry out their duties without obstruction.
Zohran Kwame Mamdani, a New York City official, also responded to the incident. He noted that emergency service personnel are working to secure the site and assist those affected by the event.
Mamdani wrote on X, “Flatbush Avenue is closed from Clarendon Road to Bedford Avenue. Please stay away from the area so that rescue teams can do their work.”
He added that further information would be shared by the city once officials are in a position to confirm details regarding the incident. Mamdani stated, “As the emergency operation continues, please keep our neighbors and the members of this community in your thoughts.”