Three-story building collapses in Flatbush; emergency crews launch major rescue operation as city officials investigate cause
By Salman J. Choudhury
— Two people were killed and 17 others injured after a three-story building partially collapsed in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn on Wednesday afternoon, November 11, according to emergency officials. Four of the injured were reported to be in critical condition.
The collapse occurred shortly after 4 p.m. at 1321 Flatbush Avenue, near Bedford Avenue, when part of the building came down toward an adjacent construction site at 2625 Bedford Avenue. The incident also damaged the wall of a neighboring building, exposing portions of its interior.
Emergency personnel from the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), police, and other agencies rushed to the scene and launched an extensive rescue operation. Specialized rescue teams, drones, search dogs, and heavy equipment were deployed to search the debris and determine whether anyone remained trapped.
Authorities reported that excavation work was underway at the neighboring construction site when the collapse occurred. However, officials have not yet established whether the construction activity contributed to the building failure.
New York City Department of Buildings officials have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collapse and assess the structural safety of nearby properties.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the incident as a devastating emergency and expressed appreciation for the first responders working at the scene. City agencies are also coordinating assistance for residents displaced by the collapse, including temporary shelter and other essential support.
Rescue and safety operations continued as authorities worked to assess the full extent of the damage and establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
