A partially constructed parking garage in Philadelphia's Grays Ferry collapsed on April 8 at about 2:17 p.m., killing one person and leaving two others missing and believed trapped under rubble. Rescue teams found three people at the scene; one later died and two were treated and released. Fire officials said crews must carefully deconstruct the structure as search-and-rescue operations continue. Nearby properties remain closed while investigators and emergency personnel work the site.
One Dead, Two Missing After Partially Built Parking Garage Collapses in Philadelphia's Grays Ferry
Part of the debris after the collapseCredit: ABC6
A partially constructed parking garage in the Grays Ferry neighborhood of Philadelphia partially collapsed on Wednesday, April 8, leaving at least one person dead and two others unaccounted for, officials said.
The collapse occurred at approximately 2:17 p.m. local time. Responding crews discovered three people at the scene; one was transported to a hospital and later pronounced dead, while two others were treated at the scene and released, local outlets reported.
"The floors was like going like one by one as it was like collapsing. And then there was a guy that was trapped underneath," witness Kurtis Carter told 6ABC.
Emergency teams continued an intensive search of the rubble on Thursday for two people believed to be trapped beneath the structure. The identities of those involved have not been released. Local reports indicate some workers at the site were members of Ironworkers Local 401.
Careful Deconstruction Underway
Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson warned that debris removal and search operations would proceed slowly and deliberately. "We have to very carefully, emphatically deconstruct this building for the safety of the people working on it and ultimately for the safety of the first responders who will continue to search," he said, stressing the need for cautious operations.
Generic image of an ambulanceCredit: Getty
Mayor Cherelle Parker pledged that city officials "will not give up on these individuals, and we will not rest until everyone is accounted for from this tragedy." In a Facebook post, she expressed solidarity with members of the Philadelphia building trades and specifically named Ironworkers Local 401 and Ryan Boyer, Business Manager for the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council.
Authorities have closed the immediate area, including an adjacent shopping plaza and nearby stores, and said there is no timeline yet for reopening. Deputy Commissioner John Stanford of the Philadelphia Police Department urged the public to avoid the site so rescue crews can work without interference: "Please do not come to try and take pictures or just to be on site," he told WHYY.
The Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), located next to the garage, issued a statement assuring the community that all PAWS staff, volunteers, animals and owned pets in their care are safe and accounted for.
Local media outlets including NBC Philadelphia and 6ABC reported on the rescue and ongoing investigation. The Philadelphia Police and Fire Departments were contacted for additional comment as searches and investigations continue.
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