Flatbush community members, the FDNY, and elected officials gathered together in Brooklyn on Sunday afternoon for an emotional vigil remembering the lives lost in the catastrophic apartment building collapse that shocked the city. The Nov. 11 collapse killed eight and left 18 injured, including children. First responders worked through the night to rescue those trapped and recover those who lost their lives. The physical and emotional trauma has left an entire community in mourning, struggling to process how such a disaster could take place. Standing with those impacted, the FDNY and the department’s Clergy Council convened just outside of the site of the collapse, located at 1323 Flatbush Ave. at 4:30 p.m.

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FDNY members attend a vigil for those killed in the horrific Nov. 11, 2026, building collapse in Brooklyn.Photo by Dean Moses[/caption]

“Last week we experienced a tragedy here as eight people were killed and 18 injured in the collapse nearby. The FDNY responded to the collapse in less than one minute and got to work right away, moving debris carefully and working as a team with agency partners to ensure additional lives were not lost,” First Deputy Commissioner Daniel Flynn said. “Our firefighters and rescue paramedics worked tirelessly to identify patients and bring as many as possible to safety.”

The Council and local interfaith leaders have been collecting clothing and gift cards to support displaced residents of Wednesday’s building collapse.

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The vigil began with several family members weeping and holding one another while signing heart-shaped memorials inscribed with their loved ones' names. They mourned by singing songs, saying prayers, and lighting electric candles. Earlier that afternoon, protesters gathered at the site of the deadly Brooklyn apartment building collapse to demand accountability for those who cut corners and ultimately allowed the tragedy to take place.

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Standing in the shadow of the empty lot that used to be a home and the gapping facade exhibiting the remains of apartments forced to be abandoned, the demonstrators said they want to see the developers involved held accountable.

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Protesters gathered at the site of the deadly Brooklyn apartment building collapse on Sunday to demand accountability for those who ultimately allowed the tragedy to take place.Photo by Dean Moses[/caption]

“Eight people were murdered when this building collapsed. They were unable to breathe and crushed to death under the weight of the rubble. All of these people returned home from work without a home, and some people returned without a loved one,” Brooklynnite Yasmin said. “We're here to demand accountability from the developers, property owners, contractors, and city officials whose actions and oversight leading up to this moment have led to something that our community will never heal from.”

AM New York Metro

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