NEW YORK – Tragedy struck on a residential construction site in Brooklyn on Friday when a worker died in a collapse, leading the Department of Buildings to reveal that work should not have been occurring there due to the absence of plans and permits.
The incident occurred at 1266 50th St., where a stop work order was in place. The first floor collapsed into the basement, trapping and ultimately killing the worker. Emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after receiving 911 calls around noon.
FDNY Assistant Chief Joseph Ferrante described the collapse as a “V shape collapse,” with the middle of the floor collapsing onto the victim. The cause of the collapse remains under investigation.
Efforts to rescue the trapped worker were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Department of Buildings Commissioner James Oddo emphasized that the fatality should not have occurred, citing the absence of submitted plans and the violation of a stop work order.
The victim was identified as 33-year-old Juan Edifoncio Tamay Ganzhi, a father of two with a third child on the way. He leaves behind a pregnant wife and two sons, ages 6 and 10. Ganzhi’s family expressed their grief and desire for a thorough investigation into the incident.
The Department of Buildings revealed that the site had been subject to complaints in December and that a stop work order had been issued on January 4. Violations of the stop work order could result in significant fines for the building owner.
The collapse prompted a major response from the FDNY, with 25 pieces of apparatus and 80 personnel on the scene. The building owner, who could face substantial fines, was unavailable for comment.
The tragic loss of life at the construction site has left a family in mourning and raised questions about the safety practices and oversight of such projects. The grieving family of the victim is left to grapple with the devastating consequences of the collapse.