A three-story building in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn partially collapsed into an adjacent construction excavation on Wednesday afternoon, killing two people and injuring at least 17 others, including seven children. Four of the injured were listed in critical condition, and one firefighter sustained minor injuries while responding to the scene.

The collapse occurred just after 4 p.m. at 1321 Flatbush Avenue, near the intersection with Bedford Avenue. The structure, which housed a ground-floor store and residential apartments above, gave way and fell into an open construction pit next door at 2625 Bedford Avenue. Part of a neighboring building at 1323 Flatbush Avenue was also damaged, with a wall torn away and apartments exposed.

Fire Department of New York (FDNY) crews arrived within minutes and launched an intensive search-and-rescue operation. Rescuers used hand tools, suction equipment, vacuum trucks, drones, and search dogs to comb through the rubble. Officials stated that the number of people still unaccounted for remained unclear and that the search would continue for an extended period. One person was pulled alive from the debris later in the evening, and a pregnant woman was among those rescued.

At least eight households were displaced by the collapse. City officials opened a reception center at the Flatbush YMCA to provide temporary ᴀssistance, including mental health support, for residents who were not hospitalized. The American Red Cross ᴀssisted with registering those affected.

Investigators are focusing on the relationship between the collapsed building and the ongoing construction next door. City records indicate that demolition and construction activity had been underway for months at the Bedford Avenue site, with plans for a larger mixed-use development that included retail, medical, and residential space. Department of Buildings records show at least one summons issued earlier in the year related to the construction site, including issues involving a stop-work order that was later resolved. No building violations were listed for the structure that collapsed.

Streets in the immediate area remained closed as inspectors checked the stability of nearby buildings. FDNY leaders described the recovery work as extremely dangerous and emphasized that crews would remain on scene until the search was complete.

As of Thursday morning, November 12, the death toll stood at two and the injury count at 17, with the investigation into the cause of the collapse still in its early stages. Officials have not released the idenтιтies of the deceased.