At least 8 dead, 17 hurt in Veterans Day building collapse in Brooklyn

At least eight people have been confirmed dead, and at least 17 others, including seven children, were injured after a building collapsed on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, New York, on Wednesday.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in a statement on X Thursday morning that rescue workers spent the night searching the collapse site to help save anyone who may have been trapped, praising them for "working under extremely dangerous conditions."

"I am heartbroken that eight New Yorkers have now lost their lives and at least 17 have been injured, including three firefighters,” Mamdani said.

“There are no words for a loss of this magnitude. My heart is with the families and loved ones of those we have lost, those who are injured and everyone grieving today. Rescue operations are ongoing. Please stay clear of the area and keep those affected, and our first responders risking their lives in these efforts, in your thoughts,” he added.

The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) said in a statement that more than 250 fire and EMS personnel responded after a three-story, multi-dwelling building at 1321 Flatbush Avenue collapsed at about 4:01 p.m. The building was next to a construction site, and the city was observing Veterans Day.

“Multiple people from the building and the construction site were trapped,” FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said. “This will be a prolonged operation. Collapse operations are extremely dangerous. Every move is choreographed and critically important to patient outcomes and member safety. Members have been working methodically and haven’t stopped since they arrived this afternoon.”

Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, a state assemblywoman with an office across from the collapse site, told The New York Times that some victims were construction workers and others were residents of the mixed-use building. She described witnessing a toddler being pulled from the rubble along with a pregnant woman whose husband was searching for her.

“That was very emotional. We were praying for him and hugging him,” Hermelyn said.

The unidentified Brooklyn husband shed tears of relief after he learned that his six-month-pregnant wife had been pulled from the rubble on Wednesday.

“She is still alive. I’m very happy. I’m very happy,” he told ABC7NY before burying his face in the shoulder of New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

Construction worker Jose Luis Caguana, 26, was identified as one of the eight victims of the building collapse. His brother, Carlos, told Univision that Caguana moved to the U.S. only six years ago and was the sole breadwinner for his family, which includes his pregnant wife and another child.

“Her husband has passed away; he was the sole provider for the family,” Carlos said, according to a translation cited by The New York Post.

“Now that he’s gone, she is going through an immense amount of pain. She is in a very bad state right now — she’s completely overwhelmed and can’t even find the words to speak.”

Caguana was also a soccer player for the New York-based Club La Bahia NY. The club’s president mourned him in a statement Wednesday night.

“The Bahía club is mourning the irreparable loss of our neighbor and friend José Luis Caguana Cosquillo, may he rest in peace and may God have him in His holy glory,” the statement said.

“My deepest condolences to the entire Caguana Cosquillo family, much strength to the whole family. Rest in peace, my friend, today my heart cries because your absence leaves an immense void, but you also leave a legacy of love, friendship, and camaraderie, I will always remember you as a different kind of player with that magic in your feet, memories that I will never forget.”