Brooklyn Building Collapse Kills Two and Injures 19 in Flatbush as Rescue Continues
At least two people were killed and 19 others were caught up in the collapse of a three-storey building in Flatbush, Brooklyn, on Wednesday afternoon, 11 November 2026. The building at 1321 Flatbush Avenue toppled into an open construction site next door at about 4pm local time, and rescue crews worked through the night searching the rubble for anyone still trapped.
New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said the number of known victims stood at 19, including seven children. Four victims were in critical condition and 12 were stable, while one firefighter was treated for minor injuries. Reuters reported that more than 10 people were taken to local hospitals with a combination of critical and non-life-threatening injuries.
| Detail | What is known |
|---|---|
| Location | 1321 Flatbush Avenue, Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York |
| Date and time | Wednesday 11 November 2026, about 4pm local time (21:00 GMT) |
| Building | Three-storey mixed-use building, four apartments, dating from 1930 |
| Deaths | At least two people killed |
| People affected | 19 known victims, including seven children |
| Condition of the injured | Four in critical condition, 12 stable, one firefighter with minor injuries |
| Rescue personnel | More than 250 firefighters and paramedics |
| Probable factor being examined | Excavation work at the adjoining construction site |
| Cause | Under investigation; not yet confirmed |
What happened on Flatbush Avenue
The collapsed building was a four-unit apartment block dating from 1930, with homes above ground-floor business space. It stood directly beside a construction lot at 2625 Bedford Avenue, where a single-storey building had recently been demolished and heavy excavation work was under way.
FDNY Chief John Esposito said the crew that reached the scene had been returning from a nearby emergency and began search-and-rescue work at once. He said the construction workers beside the building had been digging down when the structure gave way. Al Jazeera reported that first responders arrived one minute after the first emergency call, according to Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who held a news conference at about 8pm on Wednesday night.
Mamdani confirmed that at least two people had died and warned the public to stay away from the area while the rescue continued. The building fell into the open excavation pit, trapping residents and construction workers beneath the wreckage.
The rescue operation and the victims
More than 250 firefighters and paramedics were deployed after emergency services received reports of the collapse. The FDNY sent a drone over the site to help locate additional victims, and a pregnant woman was among those rescued from the wreckage.
Bonsignore described the rescue as a prolonged operation and said officials did not know how many people were still in the collapse zone. She praised the crews at the scene, saying the units were performing dangerous and heroic work under perilous conditions, and warned that moving too quickly could disrupt the piles of debris with serious consequences.
New York City’s Emergency Management set up a help centre for people affected by the collapse at the Flatbush YMCA. Police patrolled the site while emergency medical teams worked alongside the rescue crews. Esposito said the search-and-rescue phase was expected to continue for several days because of the instability of the site.
Excavation beside the building under scrutiny
Attention has turned to the excavation work under way on the lot next door. Ahmed Tigani, commissioner of the city’s Department of Buildings, said construction workers were carrying out excavation work when the collapse happened.
Tigani said developers had received approval for a three-storey building at the neighbouring site and were seeking permission to build a nine-storey structure. Department of Buildings inspectors were at the scene assisting the recovery and checking the structural stability of nearby buildings.
Early reporting pointed to the excavation as a possible factor, with suggestions that digging may have undermined the older building’s foundation walls. City officials have not confirmed any cause, and the investigation is continuing.
What investigators will examine next
City officials have opened a formal investigation into the site’s safety compliance, shoring measures and construction permits. Inspectors will look at how the excavation was carried out and whether the neighbouring building was properly protected while the work went on.
The casualty figures may change as the rescue operation continues, and this report reflects the official updates issued late on Wednesday. The Today News is continuing to follow breaking stories from the United States, including our earlier report on the death of talkSPORT broadcaster Danny Kelly.
What readers are asking about the Flatbush collapse
Q: Where did the Brooklyn building collapse happen? A: The collapse happened at 1321 Flatbush Avenue in the Flatbush neighbourhood of Brooklyn, New York, beside a construction site at 2625 Bedford Avenue.
Q: How many people were killed or injured? A: At least two people were killed. City officials said 19 people were affected, including seven children, with four victims in critical condition and 12 in a stable condition.
Q: What caused the building to collapse? A: The cause is under investigation and has not been confirmed. Officials are examining the excavation work under way at the construction site next door.
Q: Is the rescue operation still under way? A: Yes. The fire department described it as a prolonged operation, with crews still searching the rubble and the search expected to continue for several days.
Q: What help is available for residents affected? A: New York City’s Emergency Management set up a help centre for those affected at the Flatbush YMCA, and emergency services remain at the scene.
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