Over 250 firefighters and paramedics worked through the night, using chainsaws, drones and search dogs to sift through the debris. Bonsignore said the operation was “dangerous and perilous,” with every move “choreographed” to avoid further collapse. One firefighter suffered minor injuries.

At least one survivor was pulled from the rubble in the late afternoon. Anderson Velez, a resident, said his wife and two children were trapped but later confirmed to have been rescued. “She was screaming for someone to help get my son out and then the call cut off,” he said.

The collapsed building was a mixed-use structure with apartments above ground-level businesses. It was located next to a construction site where a single-story building had been demolished. The structure fell into the excavation pit, filling it with debris.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the situation as “incredibly challenging” and praised the FDNY for its training and response. “This type of rescue is exactly what the FDNY trains for,” he said. The city’s Buildings Commissioner, Ahmed Tigani, confirmed that construction workers were on site at the time of the collapse.

Witnesses described hearing a “bomb”-like noise as the building collapsed. Anthony, a witness, told PIX11 News he heard people screaming. Another, Melissa Orna, said, “The whole building started shaking, and then it just fell.”

The cause of the collapse is under investigation. The city’s Department of Buildings said its inspectors were on site to assess structural stability. The developer had plans for a three-story building at the site and was seeking permission for a nine-story structure.

Mayor Mamdani urged New Yorkers to pray for those who died and for those mourning their loss. The FDNY continued search and rescue operations into the night, with crews using flashlights to illuminate the work area.