A shocking incident was reported from the Flatbush area of Brooklyn on Wednesday around 4 p.m. (2100 GMT). A four-unit apartment building dating back to 1930 suddenly collapsed, tumbling straight into a neighbouring construction site where excavation work was taking place.
City officials confirmed that at least two people lost their lives in the disaster, while more than 10 people were admitted to local hospitals with critical and non-life-threatening injuries.
Rescue efforts begin instantly
A firefighting crew that happened to be in the area arrived within one minute of the collapse to pull the first victims out from the debris. Emergency personnel along with search dogs have been sifting through the rubble and taking away debris in buckets.
According to New York television station WABC-TV, at least four survivors, including a pregnant woman, were pulled out alive around 2 to 2 1/2 hours after the structure crumbled. A firefighter also sustained minor injuries during the operation.
“searched for all potential victims”John Esposito
Victim counts and ongoing search
City Fire Department Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore stated that the total number of known victims reached 19, including seven children. She did not confirm whether the deceased were adults or children.
Officials noted that the exact number of residents inside at the time and the number of workers at the site were not immediately known. City fire department chief John Esposito stated that the cause is currently under investigation.
What happens next
Rescue teams will spend several days searching the entire site to locate any potential victims who might still be missing beneath the rubble.
