Brooklyn building collapse leaves eight dead as rescue crews search for survivors
Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed the deaths after a three-story residential structure on Flatbush Avenue collapsed next to a construction site.
By Adrian Kovalenko ·
New York City residents learned on Thursday morning that at least eight people died in the collapse of a residential building in Brooklyn. The incident occurred on Flatbush Avenue near Bedford Avenue. The structure fell around 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed the death toll in a statement released on Thursday. He noted that 17 other individuals sustained injuries during the collapse. Three of those injured are firefighters. Four of the injured are in critical condition. The remaining victims suffered minor injuries. Seven children were among those hurt.
The FDNY reported that the building consisted of three stories. It stood adjacent to a construction site. The cause of the collapse is currently unknown. Emergency crews began searching the site immediately after the structure gave way.
Hundreds of firefighters worked through the night to clear the debris. The operation involved removing large, unstable piles of rubble. Crews proceeded with caution to avoid further collapses. They searched for survivors trapped within the wreckage. Strong rain was forecast for Thursday afternoon, which posed a risk to the stability of the site.
The property next to the collapsed building was owned by a limited liability company. City records show the LLC planned to build a 56,000 square foot mixed-use structure. The design included a supermarket on the ground floor. The upper eight floors were intended for residential apartments. The site had been excavated prior to the collapse.
Mamdani described the scene as a loss of great magnitude. He asked residents to stay clear of the area to allow first responders to work. He urged people who could not reach a loved one to call 311. Those outside the city were instructed to call 212-639-9675.
One of the victims was identified as a 26-year-old man from Ecuador. Family members confirmed his identity to local media. A second victim was also identified. The FDNY continued its search operations throughout the day. Rescue workers remained on site to monitor the debris for movement or signs of life.
The collapse happened in the Flatbush neighborhood. The area was cordoned off by police. Traffic was diverted away from Flatbush Avenue and Bedford Avenue. Neighbors reported hearing the impact of the building falling. Some residents were evacuated from nearby apartments as a precaution.
