In Brooklyn, a borough of New York City, a three-story residential and commercial building collapsed at the edge of a construction site. At least two people died, and several others were trapped under the rubble. Rescue operations are ongoing, and local authorities cannot say whether anyone remains under the debris.
The collapse occurred on Wednesday afternoon. According to local authorities, builders were excavating a neighboring vacant lot to construct a new building. Debris from the collapsed structure ended up in the excavation pit, which effectively became a receptacle for the rubble. The cause of the collapse has not yet been determined. The Department of Buildings inspection is led by Ahmed Tigani, who is overseeing the discussion of possible causes and the investigation.
About 250 firefighters arrived at the scene, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani reported. Rescuers are working by hand, using picks and chainsaws to clear the rubble. Dogs and a drone have been deployed to search for people. Around 6:30 p.m., a living woman was pulled from the debris. Rescue work is expected to continue into the night, and there is no clear answer to how many people may still be in the rubble.
At least 17 people have been hospitalized, four of them in critical condition. Authorities said seven of the injured are children, but did not specify whether any of the dead are children. One firefighter sustained minor injuries.
The collapsed building had apartments above ground-floor commercial spaces. The neighboring building, which shares a wall with it, remained standing, but that wall was cut away. Mayor Mamdani praised the preparedness of New York City Fire Department personnel. Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore described the work at the site as dangerous and difficult.
Local resident Anderson Velez was at work when his wife called him. She told him that she and their two children, aged 7 and 2, were trapped under the rubble. Velez later learned that his family had been pulled out alive. Only partial comments could be obtained from the architect, the building owner, and the general contractor. Representatives of these parties did not respond to requests for comment.
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