A three-storey building collapsed beside a construction site in Brooklyn, New York, on Wednesday afternoon, leaving at least two people dead and others trapped beneath the rubble. Emergency crews continued a dangerous search-and-rescue operation into the night as officials investigated whether excavation work next door contributed to the collapse.
About 250 firefighters and police officers were deployed to the scene, using hand tools, saws and drones to search through twisted wood, brick and other debris. Officials said at least 17 people had been taken to hospital, including four who were in critical condition.
Search continues after Brooklyn building collapse
The New York City Fire Department said rescuers faced unstable wreckage and dangerous voids beneath the debris. Teams worked carefully by hand in areas where heavy machinery could put survivors and rescuers at further risk.
Several people were brought out alive during the operation, including a woman rescued after firefighters created a passage through the debris. Officials also confirmed that seven children were among those recovered, although they did not immediately say whether any children were among the fatalities.
One firefighter suffered minor injuries, according to fire officials. Rescue operations were expected to continue through the night while crews worked to determine whether anyone else remained trapped.
Families feared trapped beneath debris
The collapse caused immediate concern among residents and relatives. Anderson Velez told local media that his wife called him while she was inside the building, saying their two children, aged two and seven, were caught in the rubble.
According to Velez, the call ended while his wife was asking for help. He later learned that his family had been rescued alive.
Construction work examined as possible factor
The damaged building contained apartments above businesses at street level. It was reduced to a large mound of debris at the bottom of an adjoining construction pit.
New York City Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani said workers had been digging an empty lot next to the building to prepare for a new development. However, officials stressed that the precise cause of the collapse remained under investigation.
A neighbouring building that shared a wall with the collapsed structure remained standing but sustained extensive damage. Much of its exterior wall was torn away, exposing rooms, furniture and clothing inside.
The investigation is expected to examine the construction activity, the condition of the buildings, the excavation process and whether any safety or structural requirements were breached. The available information does not establish responsibility.
Officials describe a hazardous rescue operation
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the response as a fast-moving and exceptionally difficult emergency. Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said rescuers were working in dangerous conditions, with each movement carefully coordinated.
The operation involved:
- Manual removal of rubble to reduce the risk of further collapse.
- Saws and other tools to reach people beneath timber and masonry.
- Drones to help teams assess areas that were difficult to access.
- Firefighters and police officers securing the surrounding site.
- Medical teams treating and transporting injured survivors.
Officials had not released a complete account of the victims or confirmed the identities of those who died. Those details may change as the emergency response and investigation continue.
What happens next?
Rescue teams must first complete their search before investigators can fully assess the site. Authorities will also need to determine whether nearby residents can safely return and whether the adjacent building requires emergency stabilisation or further inspection.
Because the collapse occurred next to an active construction project, investigators are likely to review permits, excavation plans, site inspections and the condition of the shared wall. Any legal or regulatory findings would come later and should not be assumed before the investigation is complete.
Conclusion
The Brooklyn building collapse has become a major emergency involving fatalities, serious injuries and a continuing search for possible survivors. With rescue work still under way and the cause not yet established, the immediate priority remains protecting responders and accounting for everyone who may have been inside. Further information about the victims, structural damage and the construction site is expected as officials complete the investigation.