Eight dead in Brooklyn building collapse
A three-story apartment structure at 1321 Flatbush Avenue fell into a construction trench on Wednesday, killing six adults and two children.
By Julia Wang ·
The three-story apartment building at 1321 Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn collapsed into a construction trench on Wednesday afternoon, killing at least eight people. The structure gave way while workers were active on the adjacent site, trapping residents and staff in the debris.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed the public on Thursday, describing the past night and morning as devastating for the city. He confirmed that six adults and two children died in the incident. Most victims were recovered at the scene, while two others passed away in nearby hospitals.
Two of the deceased were construction workers employed at the site next to the building. Mamdani noted that the victims came from various countries, including Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, and Trinidad. The New York Police Department released the names of the eight individuals killed on Thursday.
The victims were José Luis Caguana Cosquillo, 26; Nicole Daniela Salvala Rodríguez, 9; Juan Daniel Salvada Guzmán, 31; Kevin Santiago Reyes González, 10; Ndiaye Mamadou, 31; Barry Mamadou, 23; Gabriel Siguencia, 22; and Edgar Sapon, 26. The Consulate of Ecuador in New York identified Caguana as a national of that country.
Caguana left behind a son and a pregnant wife. His brother, Julio Caguana, recalled spending Saturday with him watching sports. "He was very good playing football," Julio said. The Consulate of Colombia confirmed that three Colombian citizens were among the dead, including two minors and one adult.
Eighteen people sustained injuries in the collapse. The group included four firefighters and one Colombian citizen. Mamdani stated that the majority of those still receiving medical care are in stable condition. One patient remains in critical condition.
The building had three stories and stood directly beside the active construction zone. The collapse occurred on Wednesday, with official confirmations and victim identifications released over the following day. The city continues to process the remains and support the families of the eight deceased.
