Play store
At least two people were killed and 17 others injured after a three-storey building collapsed in Brooklyn, New York, on Wednesday, authorities said.
The incident occurred shortly after 4pm local time in the Flatbush neighbourhood, near the intersection of Flatbush Avenue and Bedford Avenue. The building collapsed into an adjoining construction site where excavation work was underway.
According to New York City officials, seven children were among the injured. Four people sustained critical injuries, while 13 others, including a firefighter, were reported to be in stable condition or suffered minor injuries.
More than 250 firefighters and emergency medical personnel rushed to the scene to conduct search and rescue operations. Several people were initially trapped beneath the rubble as emergency workers used drones, sniffer dogs and specialised equipment to locate survivors.
Rescue teams also managed to pull several survivors from the debris, including a pregnant woman.
The collapse also severely damaged an adjacent building, tearing away one side and exposing the interiors of apartments.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani praised emergency responders for their swift response and urged residents to avoid the affected area.
Fire Department Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said authorities did not know how many people might still be trapped or missing, warning that rescue operations could continue for several days.
The cause of the collapse remains under investigation. Officials are examining whether excavation work at the neighbouring construction site contributed to the incident.
The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office is also working with city authorities to determine whether any criminal conduct was involved.