Building collapses in Brooklyn, killing at least one person

Summarised from 8 outlets · Updated 12 Nov, 00:20 · Archive

A three-storey apartment building collapsed in Flatbush, Brooklyn on Wednesday afternoon, killing at least one person and trapping others beneath the rubble.

A three-storey apartment building collapsed in the Flatbush neighbourhood of Brooklyn on Wednesday afternoon at around 4pm. The building stood at the edge of a construction site where another structure had been demolished. The collapse left people trapped beneath the wreckage, prompting a major emergency response from the New York City Fire Department.

At least one person was killed in the collapse, according to the Guardian and GB News. Multiple people were injured; GB News reports 12 people injured in total, with four seriously hurt, whilst the Guardian reports four people rushed to hospital in critical condition and six taken to hospitals with minor injuries. The Mirror reports at least five people injured including one critically.

Several people were rescued from the rubble. The Daily Mail reports that five people were removed from the rubble and taken to Kings County Hospital. The Mirror reports that two people were rescued, with two more being evaluated and rescuers continuing to search. The Guardian's account includes video footage showing firefighters removing at least one person on a stretcher.

The building had a store at ground level and residential apartments above. Another building that shared a wall with the collapsed structure remained standing, but its wall was torn away, exposing rooms inside including bedrooms and closets. GB News reports that the site had previously been an adult day care centre before being vacated, and that it was awaiting a permit to build affordable housing.

Rescue operations involved dozens of firefighters using saws and pickaxes to cut through the wreckage. Drones equipped with flashlights assisted emergency crews in searching for survivors as daylight faded. The Guardian reports that rescue dogs were also used. The surrounding area was evacuated and cordoned off.

It remains unclear what caused the building to collapse. The area had been excavated as part of the construction project, and the collapsed building filled the construction pit with bricks and wood. GB News quotes New York State Representative Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn saying the building had 'probably' been neglected, though the exact cause has not been determined.

How it is being reported

• At least 1 killed in Brooklyn apartment building collapse, officials sayAt least one person was killed Wednesday when a three-story apartment building collapsed in New York City. Fire officials said at least 10 people had been pulled from the rubble in a major rescue operation. Lilia Luciano reports from the scene.CBS News · 12 Nov, 00:50
• Brooklyn building collapse kills at least one, traps others in wreckageThree-story building was at the edge of a construction site where another edifice had been demolished Firefighters dug through the rubble of a three-story building in Brooklyn on Wednesday after it collapsed at the edge of a construction site, killing at least one person and trapping others beneath the wreckage. Firefighters were called to the scene in the borough’s Flatbush section at about 4pm. News helicopter footage showed dozens of firefighters scouring the debris, with a group homing in on one area and appearing to use a saw to cut through the wreckage. Continue reading...Guardian World · 12 Nov, 00:06
• People feared trapped after building collapses in New YorkFirefighters say people are trapped under rubble after a three-storey building in Brooklyn collapsed.Sky News · 11 Nov, 23:23
• New York building collapse kills one person and injures 12Rescuers are searching for people who may be trapped under the rubble of the three-story building in Brooklyn.BBC World · 11 Nov, 22:55
• At least one dead after Brooklyn building collapses leaving New Yorkers 'trapped' under rubbleA building in the New York borough of Brooklyn has collapsed, killing one person and injuring 10 others. One person was still trapped under the rubble, and four of the injured have been seriously hurt, New York officials said. The city's fire department rushed to the three-storey apartment complex in Flatbush, with the area cordoned off shortly after 4pm. A helicopter camera filmed dozens of firefighters scouring the debris, with one group of servicemen using a saw to cut through the heavy damage. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Drones with flashlights are also being used to assist…GB News · 11 Nov, 22:38
• Horror scenes as building collapses in Brooklyn leaving four people trapped under rubbleThe structure started to crumble around 4pm on Wednesday on Bedford Avenue in Flatbush, officials said.Daily Mail · 11 Nov, 22:08
• Two pulled from rubble after NYC building collapses, search underway for others feared trapped: FDNYEmergency crews are on the scene after a building collapsed in Brooklyn. Search-and-rescue operations are underway, and the surrounding area has been evacuated.Fox News · 11 Nov, 22:06
• Brooklyn building collapses with people 'trapped' as shocking images emergeThe New York City Fire Department said the apartment building in Flatbush, Brooklyn, partially collapsed, with reports of people trapped beneath the wreckageThe Mirror · 11 Nov, 21:53

In this story: Brooklyn · Flatbush · Bedford Avenue · New York City Fire Department · Kings County Hospital · Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log