Partial collapse of Brooklyn apartment building leaves one dead and several injured
A three-storey apartment building in Flatbush, Brooklyn, partially collapsed on Thursday afternoon, killing one person and injuring multiple others while rescue crews continue to search for those still trapped.
The New York City Fire Department said a three-storey apartment building on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn partially collapsed shortly after 4 p.m. on Thursday. One person was confirmed dead and six others were taken to hospitals with injuries. Rescue teams have so far rescued two people from the rubble and are still searching for at least one individual who remains trapped and is communicating with first responders.
Firefighters used drones and flashlights to locate victims as daylight faded, and at around 6:30 p.m. they extracted a dust-covered person who was still moving and transported the individual to an ambulance.
Police established a cordon around the site and directed bystanders away from the hazardous area. A man reported that his pregnant wife was inside the building and attempted to reach her, but officials kept the public back for safety.
The building, located at 2625 Bedford Avenue between Newkirk and Flatbush Avenues, stands adjacent to an active construction site. FDNY officials confirmed that five injured construction workers were among those taken to medical care. Emergency crews continue to search the exposed interior of the structure for additional casualties.