One dead, several injured after New York building collapses

A 3-storey building in New York collapsed on Wednesday, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries, according to city authorities. Reports indicate the building was situated near a construction site in the Flatbush district of Brooklyn. Rescuer firefighters combed through a mass of rubble, uncovering a residential property with its walls reduced to debris, exposing a bedroom and a wardrobe.

Images of the scene captured a child being carried out on a stretcher, among others who were pulled to safety. The New York Fire Department (FDNY) reported calls for assistance around 4pm (2100 GMT) regarding people trapped in the aftermath of the collapse. One individual was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital, while at least four others were admitted in critical condition, and six sustained minor injuries.

The cause of the building collapse has not been determined at this time. Some media outlets suggested the structure fell onto an adjacent excavation site. A witness, identified only as Anthony, recounted hearing screams and a sound resembling an explosion as the building plummeted to the ground. The city's Department of Buildings dispatched inspectors to the site, aiding in recovery efforts and conducting structural assessments of nearby buildings.

Emergency vehicles, including firefighters armed with chainsaws and search dogs, flooded the area in pursuit of survivors. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani appealed for residents to stay away from the vicinity. He expressed his condolences to the community on social media.