Brooklyn building collapse in Flatbush leaves 19 casualties: 2 dead, 4 critical, trapped toll still unknown

At least two people have been killed in the collapse of a three-storey residential and commercial building in the Flatbush area of Brooklyn, New York City. The accident happened on Wednesday afternoon. New York City authorities said there have so far been 19 casualties in the incident; among them 2 are dead, 4 are in critical condition and 12 are in stable condition.

At least 7 children are among the casualties. How many more people are trapped under the rubble or missing has still not been confirmed.

The building collapsed at around four in the afternoon local time in the Flatbush area. Video from the scene shows firefighters rescuing several people from the rubble and lifting them onto stretchers; they were later taken away from the site by ladder.

Even after the rescue operation had run for more than four hours, fire service officials feared another part of the building could collapse. Because the building fell onto an adjacent structure under construction, several people were trapped in both structures.

The commissioner of the New York City Fire Department said this rescue and search operation is extremely risky.

According to a Fox News report, New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore confirmed the updated casualty figures. She said 4 of the injured are in critical condition and 12 are in stable condition. In addition, one firefighter was slightly injured while conducting the rescue operation.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said a call was made to 911 at 4:01 pm local time reporting the building collapse at 1321 Flatbush Avenue. Firefighters reached the scene within one minute and immediately began the search and rescue operation.

At a press conference held in the evening, Mayor Mamdani said: 'It is with an extremely grief-stricken heart that I report that at least two New Yorkers have died so far.'