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Eyewitness reveal terrifying thing that happened right before NYC building collapse that killed four and left many trapped in rubble
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Tragedy struck Brooklyn on Wednesday, as a massive building collapsed into a pile of rubble, killing at least four people and injuring 17, with four in critical condition.
Firefighters have been desperately searching for more victims who may lie beneath the wreck of the formerly three-story apartment.
Emergency calls came in at the building at Newkirk and Flatbush Avenues around 4PM on Wednesday, when it fell into an active construction site.
While at least two people have been confirmed dead, officials said that this number could yet increase, as rescue crews are unsure about how many people from the New York building are still missing.
The hazardous search for bodies is expected to last for several more days, as residents and workers became trapped underneath the rubble.
Witnesses opened up about tragedy
Reverend Alfred Joseph, the pastor of a church across the street from the collapsed building, shared: “There was one lady saying her husband is still in the rubble. She was not crying. She was so quiet.”
The 72-year-old prayed with the victims' families as he opened up the Bethesda Church of God in Christ to the neighborhood.
Resident Anderson Velez, 35, emotionally told the New York Post: “My family, man. Oh man. My two kids...”
Velez explained that he was working in the Bronx when his wife called and told him she and their children, aged seven and two, were trapped under the building's wreckage.
The dad recalled: “She called me when the building collapsed while she was inside with rubble on top of her. She was screaming for someone to help get my son out, and then the call cut off.”
Luckily for Velez, his family was rescued, and they are expected to be alright.
First responders also successfully rescued a six-month pregnant woman from the rubble, as her partner said: “She’s alive. She’s still alive. I’m very happy. I’m very happy.”
Another witness, Anthony Griggs, 21, said he heard 'two big bangs' on his walk home from work, adding: “A couple of bricks fell by my foot. I got hit by one, but it’s ok. I’m ok.”
Construction crews were working at the site next door when the apartment building crumbled, according to Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani.
Shocking images reveal the extent of the wreckage, with a pile of debris left covering the ground where the building stood.
The FDNY stated that multiple people were trapped under the rubble, with a bloodied man seen being carried away as photos from the scene were released.
Fatalities were reported
At least four people were killed in the destruction, while four were taken to hospital in critical condition.
12 people were also hospitalized, though they were in stable condition, while one firefighter was treated for minor injuries, according to FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore.
The ages of the pair who were killed were not revealed, though it was revealed that seven children were among the victims.
Over 250 FDNY personnel responded to the scene, including dozens of firefighters and search dogs.
Bonsignore said that officials 'do not know how many people are still in the collapse zone.'
“Collapse operations are extremely dangerous because, as you know, the risk of disrupting the piles by moving too quickly,” she added.
FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito admitted that the site was a 'very unstable situation', though they were focused on preventing a 'secondary collapse' in their search efforts.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said that the NYC Department of Buildings and law enforcement agencies are investigating the collapse, adding in a media briefing: “This was a devastating collapse and we know that it affects the lives of many New Yorkers who live here on Flatbush.
“As we rebuild, the City of New York will stand alongside those impacted at every step of the way.”