Fatal PA Parking Garage Collapse: Search For Missing Paused

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Investigators are scrambling for answers Thursday after a parking garage under construction collapsed in Philadelphia's Gray's Ferry section, leaving one person dead and two missing.

Dangers remain at the site of the collapse, near the intersection of Grays Ferry Avenue and 30th Street, where the garage is deeply unstable. The search remained paused early Thursday as the structural integrity was investigated.

“For the safety of my team, we have to stabilize that structure before we can continue our search and rescue operation," Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson said in a news briefing. "It’s going to take some time because we have to stabilize this building for the safety of everyone involved, especially my rescuers."

The identities of the victim and the missing individuals are not yet known. At least two additional construction workers were injured. Both have been treated at a nearby hospital and released.

Thompson said that expert engineers had been assembled to evaluate the building, along with "some of the best technical rescue experts in the country." He said the Pennsylvania Task Force One team had been trained specifically for this type of operation.

The nearby Grays Ferry Shopping Center and other adjacent businesses were shut down Thursday as crew continued their work. Mayor Cherelle Parker said "there is no timeline yet for reopening."

The 1,005 vehicle garage, owned by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, has faced intense opposition ever since it was proposed. Critics have pointed to asthma risks for children and the nearby community from construction, increased traffic, the displacement of residents, and blight on the neighboring playground and residents. It's been cited by activists as an example of environmental injustice and institutional racism.

The group "No CHOP Garage," which has organized resistance to the construction, held another protest Thursday morning near the site.

"We're horrified about what happened, praying for the workers at the site, and continuing to demand that CHOP STOP CONSTRUCTION ON THE GARAGE NOW!" the group shared.

Another community nonprofit, the Young Chances Foundation, called for greater transparency from the city and CHOP on the fallout from the incident.

"Has there been any material waste or structural damage resulting from the collapse?" they asked. "Could you provide an assessment of the safety of the area surrounding the collapse? Are there any direct health concerns for the youth community and families living in the impacted area?"

Mayor Parker said late Wednesday that the city would keep all Philadelphians "closely informed" about the progress of the search and ensuing investigation.