Flatbush: building collapses in the heart of Haitian Brooklyn, at least eight dead

A three-story building partially collapsed late Wednesday afternoon, November 11, in Flatbush, Brooklyn, one of the neighborhoods with the largest Haitian community in New York. The toll rose sharply on Thursday: at least eight people are dead, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said. At least 17 people were injured, including three firefighters. On Wednesday evening, officials had reported two deaths.

The first emergency call came in at 4:01 p.m., according to the fire department. The building, built in 1930 at 1321 Flatbush Avenue, at the corner of Bedford Avenue, housed a business on the ground floor and four apartments on the upper floors. It collapsed into the adjacent excavation site, where workers were operating. The wall of another three-story building was torn away, leaving apartments exposed.

Children among the victims

On Wednesday evening, four of the injured were in critical condition, according to the fire department. Seven children are among the victims, though authorities have not said whether any of them died. Three firefighters were hurt during the operations. Several construction workers were hospitalized.

People were still trapped in the rubble on Wednesday evening. A woman was pulled out alive more than two hours after the collapse. Rescuers recovered more bodies from the debris overnight and into Thursday morning, digging with excavators and buckets and guided by search dogs. Officials say others may still be missing. They warn the search could take several days and fear a secondary collapse.

A help center at the Flatbush YMCA

The city opened a help center at the Flatbush YMCA for affected residents, who are receiving food, water and medical care there. The Red Cross began registering displaced families on Wednesday night to help them, including with housing.

Haitian-American officials on site

City Council member Farah Louis, a Haitian-American elected official for the district, went to the scene and described the images as "heartbreaking." Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the collapse "devastating" and asked residents to avoid the area, where streets have been closed. On Thursday he said he was "heartbroken": "My heart is with the families and loved ones of those we have lost, those who are injured and everyone grieving today."

A construction site to blame?

The neighboring lot was being excavated for an authorized three-story building. A nine-story project had not yet been approved. According to city records, a demolition contractor was cited in April for continuing work at the site despite a Department of Buildings stop order; the violation was resolved in October. The Department of Buildings, which is leading the investigation, and the police are looking into the cause of the collapse, which remains unknown. State Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, who is also of Haitian descent, described the site as "likely neglected." The developer held active permits for excavation and foundation work.

More than 250 firefighters and rescue workers were mobilized, in coordination with the police, according to the FDNY. "Operations after a collapse are extremely dangerous. Every move is calculated," said Commissioner Bonsignore.

Updated Thursday, November 12 (death toll raised to at least eight, help center, construction site citation). This article will be updated.