New York building collapse kills at least two, officials say

Least two people have died and more than 17 others are injured after a building collapse in New York City turned into an open construction site officials have said. I feel a sorrow for those affected.

The collapse sparked a search and rescue operation. Than 250 first responders were on the scene in Brooklyn looking for survivors who might be trapped under the rubble of the three‑storey building. I am hopeful that the search will find all survivors.

Hours later aerial video captured firefighters pulling a survivor dust‑covered out of the debris on a stretcher. The survivor was later identified as a woman. Officials still do not know how many others are missing. I am relieved to see a survivor rescued.

An investigation is underway to discover what caused the building collapse on Wednesday afternoon. I hope the investigation reveals the truth.

Witnesses described a sound as the building collapse happened at about 16:00 local time (21:00 GMT). I am stunned by the sound.

“I live right behind the building ” said Emmanuella Carilus to the New York Times. “It sounded like a boom and you just heard a bunch of screaming.” I share Emmanuella’s shock.

The newspaper published images of a crowd of fire trucks and police vehicles at the site. Noted that the noise of sirens had not stopped in the area. I am moved by the noise.

“I’ve never seen anything like this ” said a witness named Dashik, who spoke to television station PIX 11. I echo Dashik’s disbelief.

Officials have not yet identified those who died or were injured. I wish for clarity, for the families.

Locals have gathered at the scene to wait for news about the people who are believed to have been caught in the collapse.

The rescue mission has been called ” dangerous” by New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore.

She said that people from the collapsed building and also the construction site had been trapped.

“Team members have been working carefully and have not stopped since they arrived this afternoon ” Bonsignore said.

The woman who was filmed being rescued from the rubble was named by her husband.

Talking to a reporter, from CBS News New York he shared his relief after an worried wait: “She is alive. She is still alive. I’m very happy. I’m very happy. I’m very happy. I thank all of you guys. She’s pregnant, six months.”

Rescuers have used search dogs, drones, axes and chainsaws to do their job. They believe the work will take days.

Some pictures of the building on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn show an entire side of the collapsed building gone with bedrooms and closets exposed. I was shocked to see that among the debris smashed twisted metal there are household items and clothes.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined emergency responders at the scene of the collapsed building praising the emergency responders for their response. I saw the mayor join the responders.

They arrived in under a minute. Have spent hours working in dangerous and highly technical conditions to rescue New Yorkers, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani wrote later on X. I read the comment and felt a wave of gratitude.

The collapsed building, in Brooklyn was built in 1930 city records show, according to CBS, the BBCs US partner.

At the construction site, where plans have been approved for a new building active work was going on when the incident occurred according to FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito. I heard this from the official.

The activity was described by another official as “excavation work”. It was not immediately clear whether the excavation work had anything to do with the collapse of the building.