8 dead in New York building collapse, Mamdani expands probe to 100 sites

At least eight people, including two children, were killed when an apartment building collapsed in New York City's Brooklyn, prompting Mayor Zohran Mamdani to expand the investigation to more than 100 construction sites linked to companies associated with a nearby excavation project.

Rescue operations continued through heavy rain on Thursday, a day after the building came crashing down on Wednesday afternoon. Around 250 personnel were working round the clock to search the rubble for anyone who might still be trapped.

Six people were initially found dead in the wreckage, while two others later succumbed to their injuries, city officials said. The victims included two construction workers and two children. At least 18 people were injured, including four firefighters involved in the rescue operation.MAMDANI ORDERS INSPECTIONS AT OVER 100 SITES

Expanding the probe, Mamdani said authorities would examine five companies associated with the construction site next to the collapsed building, along with 100 other sites connected to those entities.

The adjacent site had been undergoing excavation work since earlier this year. Official records showed that a notice filed by a construction company in September mentioned "rock blasting" as part of the earthwork.

Building inspectors were deployed across the city to examine the linked sites and identify any potential safety concerns.

"We will be here until we are 100% sure there are no more people trapped," Fire Department Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore told reporters.

Mamdani said the city would take action against anyone found responsible for the disaster.

"If there is anyone or any entity operating in this city that bears responsibility for what happened, we will hold them fully accountable," he said.IMMIGRANT FAMILIES AMONG THOSE AFFECTED

The collapsed apartment building, constructed in 1930, had four residential units and was home to several immigrant families, according to Mamdani and official records. Two Ecuadorian nationals were among those killed.

The collapse occurred around 4 pm (local time) on Wednesday, destroying a wall of an adjoining residential building and exposing parts of its interior, including a staircase, closets and a bedroom.

As a precaution, authorities ordered residents to vacate three other addresses on the same side of the street until safety inspections could be completed.

On Thursday, two excavators were deployed at the construction site to clear debris as rescue teams continued their search amid torrential rain.

Fire officials said the operation would remain a rescue effort until workers could access the ground beneath the larger debris and establish that no more victims were trapped.- EndsWith inputs from Reuters