“Imagine what that child is experiencing right now … that should’ve never happened,” New York City Council member Farah N. Louis told CNN after a three-storey building in Brooklyn collapsed on Wednesday afternoon.
The structure, located at 1321 Flatbush Avenue in the residential neighborhood of Flatbush, caved in at approximately 4:00 pm local time. The collapse left one person dead and at least 12 others injured, with rescue operations continuing into the evening.
🚨 HAPPENING NOW: FDNY units are currently operating at a building collapse on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. pic.twitter.com/hZmL1peDKI
Four victims were rushed to hospitals in critical condition, while six others sustained minor injuries, according to the New York City Fire Department. Rescuers pulled multiple people from the debris as operations extended past dark.
The collapsed building sat directly adjacent to an open construction site at 2625 Bedford Avenue, where a previous single-storey structure had been demolished. The falling debris filled the excavation pit with bricks and timber, while an adjoining building had its exterior wall sheared away, exposing interior rooms.
My heart breaks for the family who lost a loved one in today’s building collapse in Brooklyn. I’m keeping them in my thoughts and praying for everyone affected. My administration has reached out and offered its full support as authorities investigate what happened.
New York State Representative Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn told NY1 that the vacant lot had previously housed a senior adult day care and was awaiting permits for affordable housing development. City Department of Buildings inspectors arrived on site to assist with recovery efforts and conduct structural stability assessments of neighboring properties.
The New York City Police Department urged the public to avoid Bedford and Flatbush avenues due to expected traffic delays and street closures. Meanwhile, New York City Emergency Management established a reception center for displaced residents in partnership with the Red Cross at the Flatbush YMCA.
| Incident Detail | Recorded Status |
|---|---|
| Date and Time | Wednesday at approximately 4:00 pm |
| Location | 1321 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY |
| Fatalities | 1 confirmed death |
| Injuries | 12 total (including 6 critical) |
| Emergency Response | FDNY, EMS, and structural inspectors deployed |
“We’re closely monitoring the building collapse on Bedford Avenue in Flatbush,” New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams wrote on X, as reported by News24.
Emergency crews utilized drones, sniffer dogs, buckets, and vacuum trucks to clear rubble and search for additional survivors. Authorities reported that the exact cause of the collapse remains under investigation.
Due to a partial building collapse, please avoid the area surrounding Bedford Avenue and Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. Expect street closures, traffic delays, and consider alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/03mjZm3TjI
Earlier coverage: Flatbush Building Collapse Kills 1, Injures 12 in Brooklyn
First responders are on the scene of a building collapse on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, where they are working quickly to secure the location and assist New Yorkers. Flatbush Avenue is closed from Clarendon Road to Bedford Avenue – please avoid the area so rescue crews can…
