An anxious Brooklyn husband broke down in tears of relief after learning that his pregnant wife had been pulled alive from the rubble of a building collapse that had killed at least eight people by early Thursday.
The unidentified man tried to rush into the collapsed three-story building shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday when he realized his six-months-pregnant wife was inside. NYPD officers securing the scene stopped him from entering.
“She’s inside the building, she’s pregnant,” the resident told WABC before being escorted to a safe area so emergency crews could continue their work without interruption.
About two and a half hours later, firefighters were seen carrying a stretcher along a ladder at roughly 6:30 p.m. To the man’s immense relief, his wife was being brought out of the wreckage.
Covered in dust and with a light blue blanket draped over her stomach, she was alive.
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“She’s alive. She’s still alive. I’m very happy,” the man told reporters. Officials have not released any additional information about the woman’s condition.
He struggled to hold back his emotions as Jumaane Williams, New York City’s public advocate, offered him comfort.
Emergency crews continued searching through the rubble in Flatbush on Thursday as they looked for additional victims.
By 7:30 a.m. Thursday, officials had confirmed eight deaths and said at least 19 other people, including seven children, were injured. Authorities warned that the casualty figures could rise.
“There are no words for a loss of this magnitude,” Mayor Mamdani said on X as he confirmed the toll. “My heart is with the families and loved ones of those we have lost, those who are injured and everyone grieving today.”
