Brooklyn building collapse kills eight, injures 17 as rain slows rescue efforts
NYC officials cite unsafe construction at a neighboring site as the cause of the Flatbush Avenue disaster.
By John Ferrari ·
A three-story mixed-use building on Flatbush Avenue collapsed on Wednesday afternoon, killing eight people and injuring 17 others. The structure housed residential units on the upper floors and storefronts at street level. It was fully occupied at the time the ground gave way.
The New York City Department of Buildings stated on its website that unsafe construction operations at the adjacent property caused the collapse. The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office is now investigating whether criminal conduct contributed to the incident. The construction company overseeing the neighboring site had received multiple citations for safety violations prior to the event. The company addressed those violations, and work resumed in May.
Rescue teams faced difficult conditions overnight as heavy rain fell across New York. Firefighters, K9 units, and drones worked to clear rubble and locate missing persons. New York Fire Department Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said the storms would hinder but not stop the search. She stated, “We will be here until we are 10 percent sure there are no more people trapped.”
FDNY Chief John Esposito described the site as unstable at a news conference. He noted that the adjoining building, which remained partially intact, posed a danger of secondary collapse. Measures were taken to monitor that structure to prevent further structural failure. Esposito estimated the search effort could take several days.
The death toll rose as recovery continued through the day. Four of the victims are believed to be children, and two were construction workers. Several firefighters were among the 17 injured. Councilwoman Farrah Louis said two construction workers were pulled from the site in the morning, adding to the casualty count.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the vast majority of those treated in hospitals are in stable condition, with only one patient in critical status. He thanked first responders who arrived within a minute of the collapse and worked in dangerous conditions. New York Governor Kathy Hochul offered full administrative support as authorities investigate the cause.
The search for survivors continues amid ongoing weather challenges. Officials remain focused on clearing the remaining debris to determine the final number of casualties.
