Two people have died and 17 others were injured after a three-story building collapsed in Brooklyn, New York. Rescue teams continued searching the wreckage on Thursday, November 12, amid fears that more people could remain trapped.
The building collapsed around 4 p.m. on Wednesday in Flatbush, sending debris into an adjacent construction site. The disaster also tore away part of a neighboring building’s exterior wall, exposing rooms and apartments.
New York City officials said 19 people were accounted for, including the two fatalities. Seven children were among those affected, and four injured people were reported in critical condition. One firefighter also suffered minor injuries.
Rescue teams search unstable rubble
More than 250 firefighters and emergency personnel responded to the scene. Crews used search dogs, drones, power tools, and manual excavation to look for survivors. Officials warned that the operation could last several days. Unstable debris and the risk of further collapse made the search particularly dangerous.
The New York City Department of Buildings also sent inspectors to examine nearby structures and assess their stability. Authorities urged residents and visitors to avoid the affected area around Flatbush and Bedford avenues. Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the collapse as devastating and praised emergency workers for their efforts.
Excavation was underway next door
Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the collapse. Construction workers were excavating an adjacent site when the three-story building fell into the excavation area, according to city officials. The collapsed structure contained commercial space on the ground floor and apartments above. The neighboring construction site was being prepared for a new development.
City records show that the Department of Buildings issued a violation to a demolition contractor in April. Inspectors said demolition had continued despite an order to stop the work. The violation was later listed as resolved in October. Officials have not determined whether the excavation or other construction activity played a role in the disaster.
Nearby building also suffered major damage
The collapse damaged an adjoining three-story building, stripping away much of its exterior wall and exposing interior rooms, including bedrooms and closets. Authorities are checking the structural stability of nearby properties while rescue and recovery operations continue.
The incident has raised questions about construction safety and the risks that excavation work can pose to neighboring buildings. For now, emergency crews remain focused on searching the rubble, assessing surrounding structures, and accounting for everyone who may have been affected.
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