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7 Dead, 5 Still Missing in NYC Explosion

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Rescue workers remove an injured person on a stretcher following a building explosion and collapse in East Harlem, Wednesday, March 12, 2014 in New York.
Image: Mark Lennihan/Associated Press

Seven people are dead in East Harlem this morning as recovery efforts continue through the rubble of the two buildings that collapsed on Wednesday. The body of the seventh victim was found at 7:12 a.m., according to the FDNY. Five people are still missing.

The major explosion that shook uptown New York City around 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday was the result of a gas leak. Residents of 1646 Park Ave., one of the two five-story apartment buildings that crumbled, say they called 311 last month when nauseating gas smells permeated the building.

“The first time was unbearable,” Ruben Borrero, who lives in the building, told Mashable at the scene on Wednesday. “You walked into the building, and you had to walk straight back out. It was that bad.”

City officials, however, say the first tip they received of the gas leak was call to Con Edison that came in around 15 minutes before the explosion.

The map above shows the location of the two buildings the collapsed in East Harlem on March 12.

Among the victims are two women who lived in the buildings and worked for a church blocks away. Another, 45-year-old Griselde Camacho, was a sergeant for Hunter College’s public safety office. Building resident Rosaura Hernandez-Barrios, 22, also died.

Minutes after the buildings tumbled, thick smoke and a sulphuric smell crept through the neighborhood. Firefighters struggled throughout the day to extinguish the blaze and start searching for victims. At least 65 people were injured, 27 of those were transported to hospitals.

Shattered glass, wood shards and pieces of broken brick covered the sidewalks blocks away from the site. Layers of dust enveloped vehicles parked on the street. Portions of the elevated Metro North train tracks were covered in debris, leading to a temporary shutdown and continued delays on Thursday.

The Red Cross set up a temporary shelter at a nearby school. More than 100 people lined up for food and counseling Wednesday afternoon. The shelter remained open throughout the evening for those who didn’t have a place to sleep.

“This is going to be an extended operation,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a press conference hours after the blast. “This is a tragedy of the worst kind because there was no indication in time to save people.”

Building Collapse in New York City

  1. Harlem_building_collapse-11

    A general view on the corner of 116th and Park Ave in Harlem where the building collapse took place around 9:30 a.m. on March 12.

    Image: Mashable Christina Ascani
  2. Harlem_building_collapse-10

    Firefighters respond to an explosion that leveled two apartment buildings in the East Harlem neighborhood of New York.

    Image: Mashable Christina Ascani
  3. Harlem_building_collapse-9

    Con Edison crewmembers try to reach gas pipes underground.

    Image: Mashable Christina Ascani
  4. Harlem_building_collapse-28

    Debris covers the Metro North rail line across the street from the two-building collapse.

    Image: Mashable Christina Ascani
  5. Harlem_postphotos-2

    A police perimeter was set up three blocks in every direction.

    Image: Mashable Christina Ascani
  6. Harlem_building_collapse-12

    Seven people are dead after two buildings collapsed in East Harlem.

    Image: Mashable Christina Ascani
  7. Harlem_building_collapse-1

    Walking towards the building collapse at 116th and Park Avenue in Harlem, smoke filled the streets.

    Image: Mashable Christina Ascani
  8. Harlem_postphotos-6

    Upon arriving, the police perimeter was set up in-between 115th and 116th streets in East Harlem, giving bystanders a closer look at the collapse.

    Image: Mashable Christina Ascani
  9. Harlem_building_collapse-5

    A witness to the collapse talks to a journalist about his experience. Many people who were in the area said it felt like an earthquake.

    Image: Mashable Christina Ascani
  10. Harlem_building_collapse-15

    The roads were shut down three blocks in each direction, with only police officers and fire fighters allowed through.

    Image: Mashable Christina Ascani
  11. Harlem_building_collapse-32

    Glass store fronts were blown out a few doors down from the collapse.

    Image: Mashable Christina Ascani
  12. Harlem_building_collapse-19

    Many fireman, policeman and first responders were wearing face masks in order to protect themselves from the choking smoke that filled the air.

    Image: Mashable Christina Ascani
  13. Harlem_building_collapse-24

    The Metro North Hudson Line was shut down until evening rush hour on Wednesday due to scattered debris on the track.

    Image: Mashable Christina Ascani
  14. Harlem_building_collapse-17

    The building adjacent to the collapse is strewn with debris- wood, glass and clothes can be seen in the piles.

    Image: Mashable Christina Ascani
  15. Harlem_building_collapse-3

    Crowds outside of the blocked off streets near the collapse. Many lived in the area and were wondering when they would be able to go back home.

    Image: Mashable Christina Ascani
  16. Harlem_building_collapse-6

    Many people in the area were taking their own photos with cellphones and tablets.

    Image: Mashable Christina Ascani
  17. Harlem_building_collapse-4

    The press waits on the corner of 114th Street and Park Avenue for a media briefing.

    Image: Mashable Christina Ascani
  18. Harlem_building_collapse-22

    Brick, dust and wood fill 116th Street, making it difficult to walk around.

    Image: Mashable Christina Ascani
  19. Harlem_building_collapse-31

    Con Edison crews work to try and reach a main gas line in order to shut off power to the area.

    Image: Mashable Christina Ascani
  20. Harlem_building_collapse-27

    Three hours after the collapse, fire crews are still dousing the site with water, trying to contain the blaze.

    Image: Mashable Christina Ascani
  21. Harlem_building_collapse-33

    The smoke from the collapse can be seen from blocks away.

    Image: Mashable Christina Ascani

Read more: http://mashable.com/2014/03/13/harlem-new-york-explosion-deaths/

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