“Our biggest fear right now is the crane,” said McConnell. Authorities evacuated several nearby buildings and suspended the area’s streetcar service. Several city blocks surrounding the area of Canal and Rampart streets have been closed because a crane attached to the building is unstable and could also collapse. McConnell said there is a “very strong possibility of further collapse” and compared the damage to that of an earthquake. Other parts of building could still collapseĪuthorities said the building remains unstable and fear another collapse will take place. “Our focus is on continuing to secure the site and…doing everything we can to support the families impacted as rescue efforts continue.” “Today’s collapse was a tragedy, and our hearts break for the loss of life,” New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said in a Saturday statement.
There are no reports of pedestrians or motorists on the street being injured, McConnell said earlier on Saturday.Ī third person that had been considered missing was found at a nearby hospital. The upper floors of the building collapsed on Saturday.
