A three-story apartment building collapsed in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn on Wednesday afternoon, killing two people and injuring 19 others, including seven children.
The collapse occurred at approximately 4 p.m. at 1321 Flatbush Avenue. The building fell into an adjacent construction excavation site, trapping residents and passersby beneath bricks, wood, and twisted metal.
More than 250 firefighters and paramedics responded to the scene within minutes. Crews used drones, search dogs, chainsaws, and heavy equipment to search the rubble for survivors.
Officials said four people were pulled from the debris more than two hours after the collapse, including a pregnant woman. Four victims were taken to hospitals in critical condition. Twelve others were reported in stable condition.
New York City Fire Department Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said rescue teams did not yet know how many people might remain in the collapse zone.
The cause of the collapse remains under investigation. Inspectors from the New York City Department of Buildings were on site assisting with recovery operations and conducting structural stability inspections of nearby buildings.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani visited the site Wednesday evening and met with firefighters and other emergency workers. He praised first responders for working through precarious wreckage and dangerous voids beneath the surface.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul also expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and offered state assistance.
Flatbush Avenue remains closed between Clarendon Road and Bedford Avenue. The New York Police Department urged residents and commuters to avoid the area around Bedford Avenue and Flatbush Avenue while rescue and investigation work continues.
Authorities said the number of victims could change as rescue operations continue.
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