At least eight people were killed, and 17 others were injured when a three-story building partially collapsed in Flatbush, Brooklyn, on Wednesday, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said
At least 17 people, including 3 firefighters were injured, Mamdani said on Thursday, as rescue operations continued.
"Currently, we have 19 patients," New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said earlier. "Two are deceased, four are critical, twelve are stable, and we also have one firefighter with minor injuries."
"We do not know how many people are still in the collapse zone," Bonsignore said. "And this will be a prolonged operation. Its cause is under investigation."
According to the FDNY, the collapse occurred shortly after 4 p.m., when part of the building fell into an open construction site.
"This was a major technical response," Bonsignore noted, adding that fire and rescue units responded within one minute of the collapse. "More than 250 firefighters and EMS personnel are currently operating on the scene."
Firefighters first pulled a woman from the rubble of the collapse just after 6:30 p.m., and four more were rescued from the debris within the next hour, officials said.
Shortly after the incident, NYC's Department of Buildings said its inspectors "are on scene at a major building collapse near Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn assisting with recovery operations and conducting structural stability inspections of nearby buildings," in a post on X/Twitter.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) urged the public to avoid the surrounding area, warning of street closures and traffic delays.
NYC Mayor Mamdani sends condolences to victims' families
Mamdani acknowledged the loss of the eight victims and those who were injured, as well as the work of first responders.
"My heart is with the families and loved ones mourning those we have lost. I am also wishing a full and speedy recovery to everyone who was injured," he shared on X.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul responded to the collapse in a post on X. "My heart breaks for the family who lost a loved one in today’s building collapse in Brooklyn."
She added, "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."
In a statement, NYC Council Member Farah Louis, who represents Flatbush, called the images from the site "heartbreaking," ABC News reported.
"We are devastated to learn that at least one life has been lost, with multiple people reported trapped and several injured as emergency personnel work urgently to reach everyone in the rubble," Louis said.
"My immediate priority is the safety of everyone impacted, and my team is actively working to reach affected families to connect them with critical information and support during this frightening time," the statement continued.
Reuters contributed to this report.