A devastating incident occurred in the heart of New York City on Wednesday afternoon when a three-storey building collapsed onto an open construction site, reportedly resulting in at least two fatalities and injuring over 17 individuals. The collapse took place around 16:00 local time (21:00 GMT) on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, prompting a massive search-and-rescue operation involving more than 250 first responders.
According to New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore, the rescue mission is being described as "extremely dangerous" due to the unstable nature of the rubble and the potential presence of trapped individuals from both the collapsed building and the construction site. As a result, responders have been working tirelessly since their arrival in the afternoon, with Bonsignore stating that they have not stopped their efforts.
Aerial footage later revealed firefighters successfully extricating a survivor covered in dust from the debris on a stretcher. Despite the ongoing search for survivors, authorities are yet to determine the cause of the sudden collapse. The building in question, which dates back to 1930, according to city records, has been the subject of recent construction activities, as reported by CBS News, the BBC's US partner.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani praised the quick response of emergency responders and expressed gratitude for their hours spent working in perilous conditions to rescue New Yorkers from the debris. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of stringent safety measures during construction projects, particularly in densely populated urban areas like Brooklyn.