By Nelson A. KingNEW YORK, Nov 12, CMC – Caribbean legislators in New York say they are “heartbroken” over the tragic building collapse on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn Wednesday afternoon in which two people lost their lives and at least 17 others have been injured, including one firefighter.
Thursday morning, firefighters continue to comb through the rubble in desperate efforts to rescue any additional victims. The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) said the three-story building at 1321 Flatbush Ave. collapsed into an open construction site at the adjacent 2625 Bedford Ave.
“I am heartbroken by the collapse of a building at 1321 Flatbush Avenue into an open construction site at 2625 Bedford Avenue this afternoon within New York’s 9th Congressional District,” Democratic Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, who represents the Congressional district, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).
“My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected, particularly those trapped beneath the rubble and their loved ones, as they endure this difficult and uncertain time,” added Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus, commending the FDNY, the New York Police Department (NYPD), the Emergency Management Services (EMS) and “all first responders working tirelessly on the scene to rescue those trapped and ensure the safety of our community.
“My staff and I are closely monitoring the situation and will remain in contact with local officials, first responders, and Community Board 17 as more information becomes available,” the congresswoman continued.
“My office stands ready to assist affected residents and their families as the situation unfolds.“I urge everyone to avoid the area and allow emergency personnel the space and resources needed to carry out their critical response and rescue operations,” she said.
New York State Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, whose 42nd Assembly District encompasses the area, known as “Little Haiti”, also told CMC that she is devastated by the building collapse and the lost of lives and injuries.
“My heart goes out to the families of the children and workers killed or injured in this tragic collapse in my district, across from my office and around the corner from where I live in Little Haiti, Brooklyn,” said Bichotte Hermelyn, the daughter of Haitian immigrants and former chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, who joined New York
City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and other elected officials Wednesday afternoon in assessing the situation and supporting emergency response efforts.
“We will continue to stand with impacted residents, support recovery efforts and seek answers to ensure our communities remain safe,” she added, asking the community to join her in “lifting up the affected families, the injured, first responders and the entire community in prayer, as we navigate this heartbreaking tragedy together.”
New York City Council Member Farah Louis, the daughter of Haitian and Bahamian immigrants, who represents the 45th Council District in Brooklyn, said it was “heart-wrenching to have witnessed children, toddlers being pulled out of the rubble.
“But what we’re grateful for tonight is the fact that they survived,” she said Wednesday night,” stating that, besides a command center established at the Flatbush Avenue YMCA, a Haitian evangelical church, across the street, Bethesda Church of God, “opened their doors to the families.”
New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams, the son of Grenadian immigrants, said his office is “closely monitoring the building collapse on Bedford Avenue in Flatbush.
“We’re praying for the safety of anyone who may be trapped and for the first responders working to reach them,” he said. “Our thoughts are with everyone affected and their loved ones.”
In joining FDNY and emergency crews at the scene of the tragic building collapse, Mamdani said his “heart is with the families and loved ones mourning those we have lost.
“I am also wishing a full and speedy recovery to everyone who was injured,” he said. “This has been a whole-of-government response. I want to thank the first responders who arrived in under a minute and have spent hours working in dangerous and highly technical conditions to rescue New Yorkers. Their courage and dedication are extraordinary.“
Flatbush Avenue remains closed between Clarendon Road and Bedford Avenue,” he added.
“Please avoid the area so emergency crews can continue their work. This remains an active operation, with hundreds of rescue workers on site.”FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito said emergency rescuers “encountered people trapped in the adjacent building that was part of the collapse.
“They immediately took action to remove those people from danger,” he said, referring to the building at 1323 Flatbush Ave., which he said has partially sheared away.
CMC/nk/ed/2026