Eight people are dead and at least 18 others injured after a three-story residential building collapsed into an adjacent construction site in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn.
The building, located at 1321 Flatbush Avenue, fell at approximately 4:01 p.m. on Wednesday, prompting a massive emergency response involving more than 250 fire and EMS personnel. Witnesses reported hearing a “bomb”-like noise and people screaming as the structure gave way.
“Eight New Yorkers have now lost their lives and at least 17 have been injured, including three firefighters,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in a post on X on Thursday. The city later updated the injured count to 18, including four firefighters.
Among the deceased are six adults and two children, with two of the victims confirmed to be construction workers from the adjacent site at 2625 Bedford Avenue. Several victims appeared to be immigrants from Central or South America, according to Mamdani. Flatbush is home to a large number of immigrants, according to local assembly member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn.
Rescue workers have spent the night searching the site of yesterday’s building collapse, working under extremely dangerous conditions to find and save anyone who may still be trapped. I am heartbroken that eight New Yorkers have now lost their lives and at least 17 have been…
The building, which was constructed in 1930 and contained four residential units and one commercial space, collapsed into an excavation pit at 2625 Bedford Avenue. FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said that the rescue operation is expected to be prolonged due to the “extremely dangerous conditions” at the site, which include unstable voids beneath the surface. “Every move is choreographed and critically important to patient outcomes and member safety,” Bonsignore said.
Construction site investigation
City officials have launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse, focusing on the ongoing excavation work at the neighboring Bedford Avenue site. Ahmed Tigani, commissioner of the Department of Buildings, confirmed that developers held approved plans for a three-story building at that location and were seeking permission to expand the project to nine stories.
“If there is anyone or any entity operating in this city that bears responsibility for what happened, we will hold them fully accountable,” Mamdani said.
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…
Records from the Department of Buildings indicate that the project next door had faced multiple issues in May, including working while a “stop work” order was in effect and failing to provide proper overhead protection for adjacent properties, according to NY1. The city has since halted all construction activity at the site while structural stability inspections are conducted on surrounding buildings.
Rescuers extricate pregnant survivor from debris
One survivor, a woman who was six months pregnant, was successfully extricated from the rubble after rescuers dug through the debris, according to reporting by WABC. Investigators from the city’s Department of Buildings were at the scene to assist with recovery operations.
The structural impact of the collapse left an adjoining building partially exposed, with bedrooms and closets visible from the exterior. Residents displaced by the incident have been provided shelter at the Bethesda Church of God in Christ, located directly across from the site. “When people are in their homes feeling that they’re secure and safe with their families, to have this horrific incident occur,” Kathy Hochul said, “it is horrific.”
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many victims were children?
At least seven children were among the 18 injured people. It remains unclear if any of the eight people who died were minors, as officials have not released the full identities of the deceased. - What is the current condition of the injured?
While the majority of the injured individuals are in stable condition, one person remains in critical condition. - What happens to the remaining construction sites?
The city’s Department of Buildings has identified five entities associated with the Bedford Avenue project. Officials intend to conduct safety sweeps of approximately 100 other sites linked to these groups to ensure compliance with city regulations.
The exact cause of the collapse remains under investigation by the New York City Department of Buildings and local law enforcement. It is not yet known how many people were inside 1321 Flatbush Avenue at the time of the collapse, and authorities have not yet determined if any further victims remain buried.
Devastated to learn that the death toll from last night’s building collapse in Brooklyn has risen to eight, including two children. My thoughts are with the families facing this unimaginable loss. They deserve answers and we will do everything we can to get them. We remain in… pic.twitter.com/9MJnGc6n2C
Earlier coverage: Brooklyn Building Collapse Kills One and Injures 17 People
More on Bedford Avenue
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.
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