Eight dead in Brooklyn building collapse as pregnant woman’s rescue gives ray of hope for survivors - The Independent

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At least eight people have died following the collapse of a building in New York City, with a further 17 people being left injured.

The three-story building, which fell into an open construction site around 4 p.m. Wednesday, has become the scene of a huge rescue effort that saw a pregnant woman being pulled from the wreckage.

The overnight effort has involved hundreds of emergency responders, including officials from the city’s fire and police departments, who have been combing through the debris. Crews used saws to cut through the rubble, while sniffer dogs and aerial drones swept over the remains of 1321 Flatbush Avenue, which had contained several apartments and a store.

​Speaking to CBS News, a man revealed that his wife, who is six months pregnant, was among those rescued. However, for some time, he did not know if she was alive or dead.

“This is tough, man. He's looking for his pregnant wife, and she's not picking up the phone,” Jumaane Williams, a New York City public advocate, told the outlet amid the search.

At around 6.15 p.m., members of the New York City Fire Department were seen talking to a woman amongst the wreckage.

By 6.30 p.m., the news that his wife was alive was relayed to the as-yet-unnamed man, ABC7 reports.

​“I have an update. She is alive, she is still alive. I am very happy,” the man said.

​Footage recorded by CBS News shows the man’s wife being pulled from the ruins of the building on Flatbush Avenue. Men in hard hats and high-visibility jackets can be seen surrounding a stretcher and slowly moving it away from the rubble.

The woman was covered in debris from the collapsed building but was conscious and alert, with authorities wrapping her with a blanket.

City Councilwoman Farah Louis told the outlet that the woman, who had been taken to receive medical care, remained in critical condition as of Wednesday night.

At least four people were left in critical condition following the collapse, while four others sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries, officials said previously. At least nine people have suffered minor injuries.

New York City Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said seven children and a firefighter were among the injured.

Anderson Velez, who lived at the collapsed building, told The New York Post that his two children, aged 2 and 7, were rescued after being trapped under the rubble. He was at work at the time.

“She called me when the building collapsed while she was inside with rubble on top of her,” Velez said, referring to his wife. “She was screaming for someone to help get my son out and then the call cut off.”

Authorities have launched an investigation into the collapse, with city officials revealing more about the rescue effort at a Wednesday night press conference.

​New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said firefighters responded to the collapse within a minute of the first 911 call.

​“This has been an incredibly challenging and fast-moving situation - with precarious wreckage to navigate and dangerous voids beneath the surface,” he said.

The ongoing search effort is unfolding ahead of rain expected to sweep through New York City on Thursday and into Friday, which could complicate operations at the scene.

FDNY Chief John Esposito said that emergency workers will remain at the scene and has warned that a second collapse could take place.

“We will be here for several days until this entire site is searched for all potential victims,” he said.

A second building that shared a wall with 1321 Flatbush Avenue remained standing. Since its wall had been ripped away, the interiors of bedrooms and clothes can be seen clearly in images taken at the scene.

Those inside the neighbouring building were found by emergency workers who “immediately took action and removed those people from danger,” Esposito confirmed.