Overview
- A three-story residential building in Flatbush, Brooklyn, suddenly collapsed onto a neighboring excavation on Wednesday evening, trapping people and prompting an immediate emergency response.
- Officials confirmed at least two deaths and 17 injuries, including seven children, with several patients in serious condition as rescuers work through unstable debris.
- More than 250 firefighters and rescue personnel used drones, search dogs and cutting tools to search the site, and officials warned of dangerous cavities and prolonged recovery work.
- City building inspectors reported workers were digging in the adjacent excavation at the time and said developers had permission for three stories while seeking approval to expand to nine.
- The cause of the collapse remains unknown and a formal investigation has been opened to examine the excavation activity, permit history and the building's condition, which dates to around 1930.