“Construction Worker Killed in Brooklyn Collapse: Victim Identified as Juan Edifoncio Tamay Ganzhi”

NEW YORK – A worker tragically lost their life on Friday following a collapse at a residential construction site in Brooklyn. The Department of Buildings has stated that work should never have been taking place at the site without proper plans and permits.

Illegal construction ongoing, say officials

The incident occurred at 1266 50th St., where a stop work order had been issued by the Department of Buildings. Despite this order, construction activity was still taking place. The first floor of the building collapsed into the basement, resulting in a worker being trapped and ultimately losing their life.

911 calls were made around noon, alerting authorities to the situation. FDNY Assistant Chief Joseph Ferrante stated, “Reporting a collapse in a building under construction with workers trapped.” The FDNY swiftly responded to the scene.

Ferrante described the collapse as a V shape, with the middle of the floor caving in and falling on top of the victim. The cause of the collapse is still under investigation, and it remains unclear whether construction materials on the floor contributed to the incident.

Emergency workers immediately began efforts to rescue the trapped individual. They shored up the floor and removed dirt from underneath the worker to free them. Unfortunately, despite the extensive rescue efforts, the worker could not be saved and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Department of Buildings Commissioner James Oddo expressed his dismay, stating, “This fatality absolutely should not have happened.” He emphasized that there were no submitted plans for the construction and that the work was being carried out in violation of a stop work order. The building owner now faces significant fines, potentially reaching six figures.

The Department of Buildings confirmed that no other nearby structures were damaged as a result of the collapse.

Victim identified as father of two with a third on the way

The victim has been identified as 33-year-old Juan Edifoncio Tamay Ganzhi. He leaves behind a pregnant wife and two sons, aged 6 and 10. Ganzhi’s 10-year-old son, William, spoke about his father, stating, “He was a good man. He worked for our family.”

Ganzhi’s wife revealed that her husband was aware of the lack of permits for the construction. When asked why he agreed to work at a site without proper authorization, she replied, “Out of necessity.”

The incident has sparked a demand for a thorough investigation from the victim’s family, who seek answers regarding the circumstances of the collapse and their loved one’s untimely death.

Alice Gainer, a reporter and anchor at CBS2, covered the story. She joined CBS2 in January 2013 and has extensive experience in reporting on breaking news, feature stories, and general assignments.