At least one individual has tragically lost their life, and two others are currently unaccounted for following the collapse of a parking structure being built in Philadelphia. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon at a construction site located on the 3000 block of Grays Ferry Avenue.
Emergency responders swiftly reacted to the collapse that took place at 2:16pm local time, managing to rescue three individuals. Unfortunately, one of the workers succumbed to injuries at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, while the other two were treated and discharged.
Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson emphasized the unstable nature of the seven-story parking facility, indicating that locating the missing workers will be a challenging and time-consuming task.
The collapse was initiated by a segment of the roof, leading to a progressive structural failure across all seven levels, as Mayor Cherelle Parker informed reporters. She affirmed the city’s unwavering commitment to locating all individuals affected by the tragedy.
Efforts are underway to deconstruct and stabilize the building to facilitate search and rescue operations. The property is owned by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), with all necessary permits in place and inspections regularly conducted. Mayor Parker assured that a thorough investigation into the collapse will be conducted.
CHOP released a statement emphasizing their focus on ensuring the safety of the construction workers and collaborating closely with the city and construction partners during this challenging time.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro expressed condolences and solidarity with those impacted by the incident, pledging full support to the ongoing rescue operations and providing assistance to affected families.
The Mirror has reached out to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for additional comments on the situation.
