At least two people were killed and 17 injured when a three-story building collapsed in Brooklyn on Wednesday, Nov. 11. Rescue crews searched the rubble as officials warned that unstable structures posed risks to workers. (Foto: Instagram)
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed that at least two people were killed and 17 injured when a three-story building collapsed in Brooklyn on Wednesday, Nov. 11. Four of the injured were in critical condition, and seven were children, according to figures he announced at a news conference that evening. Authorities had not released the names of those killed.
Mamdani said he was “heartbroken” by the collapse and asked the public to pray for those who died, their families and the injured. He also wished those hospitalized a “swift and full recovery.”
The collapse happened shortly after 4 p.m. local time on Bedford Avenue, between Newkirk and Flatbush avenues in the residential neighborhood of Flatbush, CBS News reported. New York City Fire Department crews searched the rubble for possible victims using drones, search dogs and flashlights, according to CNN International.
Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said officials could not yet determine how many people might be in the affected area and described the rescue effort as a prolonged operation. Fire Chief John M. Esposito warned that the structure was unstable and that a partially intact neighboring building posed a danger to rescuers. Crews took steps to monitor the structure and protect workers amid concerns about another collapse.
Authorities said construction workers were excavating at the site when the building came down. New York City records show that a demolition company received a violation notice in April. CBS News reported that inspectors found a building at the address had been demolished earlier in 2026, despite a city order to stop all demolition work. The violation is listed as resolved in city records, but the notice does not explain why the city had ordered the work to stop. Authorities have not established whether those activities were connected to Wednesday’s collapse.
