NYC begins probe into Flatbush collapse after rescue ends
Eight people died and eighteen were injured when a three-story apartment building fell into an excavation site, prompting a review of the developer’s prior violations.
By Nia Foster ·
New York City officials opened an investigation on Veterans Day to determine why a residential structure failed. The inquiry began immediately after the search and rescue operation concluded on Thursday afternoon.
The collapse occurred near the intersection of Bedford and Flatbush Avenues. A three-story apartment building fell into a lot where construction crews were excavating for a new development. The weight of the collapsing structure sheared off the side of a neighboring building. Debris exposed a stairway, a bedroom, and a closet full of clothing.
More than 250 firefighters and emergency personnel responded to the scene. Construction workers who had escaped the immediate danger returned to the site to assist in digging through the rubble. Councilmember Farah Louis described carrying infants and toddlers on stretchers during the rescue.
Eight people died in the disaster, including two children. Eighteen others sustained injuries. One patient remained in critical condition as the storm brought heavy rain to the area. The Fire Department of New York declared the operation over at 4 p.m. on Thursday after determining no further victims remained in the rubble.
City records show the developer had a history of safety violations. The buildings department issued a stop work order in March after contractors failed to install required netting and sheds during demolition of an existing one-story building. Inspectors found the owners continued work in violation of that order a month later and issued a penalty.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated that the five entities involved in the project are linked to approximately 100 other sites across the city. Inspectors have begun sweeps of those locations. Mamdani said the city would hold any responsible party fully accountable.
Displaced residents gathered at a Red Cross reception center at a nearby YMCA. At least seven households registered for assistance, though many spent the night on sidewalks wrapped in blankets. The city also used a Brooklyn hotel lobby to house displaced families. Anderson Velez, a resident, said his wife and two sons survived the collapse. His nine-year-old son underwent skull surgery, and his wife suffered injuries to her ribs, spine, and collarbone.
Gabriel Ariolfo Siguencia Yupa, a 22-year-old construction worker from Ecuador, was confirmed dead by the consulate general on Thursday. His father, Luis Siguencia, said his son had recently arrived from Ecuador and had proper documentation. Kayla Chimborazo, his stepsister, said the family jumped between four hospitals without confirmation. José Luis Caguana Cosquillo, another 26-year-old construction worker from Ecuador, was also among the dead.
Neighbors described the scene as a mix of grief and community support. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams recounted praying with a man searching for his wife, who was later found alive. A woman yelled in Spanish after learning her husband had died. Rescuers worked through the debris, which included mattresses, refrigerators, and wood panels.
