Two people died, and at least 17 others were injured, including seven children, when a three-story mixed-use building collapsed Wednesday afternoon in Brooklyn's Flatbush neighborhood.

The structure at 1321 Flatbush Avenue near Bedford Avenue toppled around 4 p.m. into an adjacent excavation site where workers were digging for a new development. Emergency crews responded within a minute of the 911 call and began search-and-rescue operations amid concerns over a possible secondary collapse.

New York City Fire Department officials reported 19 total patients by Wednesday night, with four in critical condition and 12 in stable condition. One firefighter suffered minor injuries. A pregnant woman was among those rescued from the debris. Officials said the number of victims could rise as crews used drones and search dogs to check for anyone still trapped.

The cause of the collapse remained under investigation. The building, which dated to 1930, shared a wall with another structure whose side was sheared off, exposing interior rooms.

One victim was identified as Jose Luis Caguana, a 26-year-old construction worker from Ecuador who had lived in the United States for about six years. His brother spoke to reporters at the scene.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore addressed the media at the site, confirming the fatalities and urging residents to pray for the victims and those injured. Rescue operations stretched past four hours and were described as extremely dangerous due to unstable piles of bricks and wood.

The incident occurred in a predominantly Black and Afro-Caribbean community. No cause has been determined, and city officials noted that excavation permits had been issued for the neighboring lot earlier this year.