A three-story apartment building collapsed on Wednesday afternoon near a construction site in Flatbush, Brooklyn. New York City officials have confirmed at least eight casualties—six adults and two children—and at least 18 other people sustained non-fatal but serious injuries.

Source: ‘Who will be held accountable?’: fatal Brooklyn building collapse devastates community. Supporting passage: New York City officials have confirmed at least eight casualties – six adults and two children – in the collapse

Source: ‘Who will be held accountable?’: fatal Brooklyn building collapse devastates community. Supporting passage: At least 18 other people have sustained non-fatal but serious injuries.

Prudence Foster, a retired utility worker with ConEdison who lives in Flatbush, said the destruction reminded her of when she went to work at 9/11. She said she was relieved the building did not blow up because of the gas lines and asked who would be held accountable for the loss of lives.

Source: ‘Who will be held accountable?’: fatal Brooklyn building collapse devastates community. Supporting passage: The last time I saw something like this was when I went to work at 9/11,

Source: ‘Who will be held accountable?’: fatal Brooklyn building collapse devastates community. Supporting passage: Who is going to be held accountable for the loss of lives?

Officials have ordered the evacuation of all residents in three buildings still standing and previously connected to the one that collapsed. Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the city is investigating 100 other sites in New York City with connections to the building and promised accountability.

Source: ‘Who will be held accountable?’: fatal Brooklyn building collapse devastates community. Supporting passage: If there is anyone or any entity operating in this city that bears responsibility for what happened, we will hold them fully accountable,

The New York City police department rerouted several buses and blocked off Flatbush Avenue along Bedford Avenue and Clarendon Road while responders searched for victims. The Red Cross set up a supply center at the Flatbush YMCA providing temporary housing, social services and mental health support.

Source: ‘Who will be held accountable?’: fatal Brooklyn building collapse devastates community. Supporting passage: The city has come together to stand along those who are experiencing this hardship,

James Williams, an employee at a deli across from the wreckage, said he heard hours of loud banging from the construction site before the building came down. He said he saw people trying to get out and could not go over to help.

Source: ‘Who will be held accountable?’: fatal Brooklyn building collapse devastates community. Supporting passage: I don’t even really want to think about that. I couldn’t even go over there to even help anybody.

Department of Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani said no violations or complaints in the area were reported in the building or the nearby construction but examinations will continue. Staff at a medical group across from the rubble were checking surveillance cameras to see if their patients were involved.

Source: ‘Who will be held accountable?’: fatal Brooklyn building collapse devastates community. Supporting passage: no violations or complaints in the area were reported in the building or the nearby construction but examinations will continue.

Winsome Rogers, a nurse practitioner who works across the street, said the area was usually calm but she was concerned about unhealthy air and dust from the wreckage. She said she did not know anything yet and hoped anyone in the rubble was wearing masks.

Source: ‘Who will be held accountable?’: fatal Brooklyn building collapse devastates community. Supporting passage: I hope whoever’s in the rubble is wearing masks.

Wis Santilous, who works at a nearby homeless shelter, came to the scene after seeing it on social media. He said everyone wants people to be alright, while the number who may have died in front of the community remains unknown.

Source: ‘Who will be held accountable?’: fatal Brooklyn building collapse devastates community. Supporting passage: Everybody just wants everybody to just be alright. Who knows how many people could’ve just passed away in front of us?

Uncertainty: The exact cause of the collapse remains under investigation; the buildings commissioner said no violations or complaints had been reported but examinations will continue.

Uncertainty: It is not yet clear whether any person or entity bears responsibility for the collapse.

Uncertainty: The source does not say whether everyone in the rubble has been accounted for.

Uncertainty: The long-term health risks from dust and air near the wreckage are not yet known.