The fire department was called. Photo: Shutterstock Archive A building collapse in Brooklyn, New York, has left at least two people dead and several others injured, prompting a major search-and-rescue operation involving hundreds of firefighters and emergency personnel.
The incident took place on Wednesday afternoon, November 11, near Flatbush and Bedford avenues. The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) responded to reports of a building collapse on Flatbush Avenue, launching what it described as a major technical rescue operation.
"More than 250 fire and EMS personnel responded, and search efforts in coordination with the NYPD were ongoing Wednesday night," according to officials.
The three-story mixed-use building collapsed near an adjacent construction site, with debris falling into the excavation area.
The building housed businesses on its ground floor, with apartments above. Part of the structure fell into an excavation site next door, where construction work was underway. The collapse also damaged the wall of an adjoining building, exposing several rooms inside.
Upon receiving the initial report, dozens of firefighters and rescue workers were called to the scene, where they had to deal with large quantities of bricks, wooden beams, and the remains of the collapsed building.
Emergency crews worked using cutting equipment, rescue dogs, and drones, and in some places had to clear the rubble by hand to reach people suspected of being trapped underneath.
Aerial footage showed rescue workers working in the piles of rubble, while other teams secured the scene and tried to assess the stability of nearby buildings.
At least one of the injured was rescued from the rubble on a stretcher, with medical teams waiting to evacuate him for further treatment.
The extent of the destruction became apparent when emergency services arrived at the scene. The building that collapsed was located next to a plot of land where a one-story building had previously been demolished as part of construction and development work.
The collapse caused large amounts of construction materials to fall into the nearby excavation area.
Another structure, which shared a common wall with the collapsed building, remained standing, but part of its exterior wall was damaged. As a result, rescue teams and passersby were exposed to rooms, furniture, and personal belongings.
Authorities checked the stability of nearby buildings, fearing additional dangers during the rescue operation.
The building's location next to an active construction site is background to the inspection, but no official determination has been published linking the construction work to the collapse.
The NYC Department of Buildings is involved in inspecting the scene and examining the condition of nearby buildings.
The New York Police Department and emergency authorities urged the public to avoid the area, due to road closures and the extensive activity of emergency vehicles.
The disaster occurred in a populated urban area of Brooklyn, sparking a complex rescue operation that continued into the hours of darkness
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore provided an update on the emergency response. Officials said they did not yet know how many people had been inside the building when it collapsed or whether anyone remained missing.
"Flatbush Avenue remains closed between Clarendon Road and Bedford Avenue. Please avoid the area so emergency crews can continue their work. This remains an active operation, with hundreds of rescue workers on site. Information is changing by the minute. We will share additional updates as details are confirmed," said the mayor.
The cause of the collapse remains under investigation.