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A dad with a heavily pregnant wife is among the victims killed in Wednesday’s horrific building collapse in Brooklyn, according to his heartbroken brother.
Jose Luis Caguana, 26, was among the eight victims who died when the 1930-era walk-up crumbled at the edge of a construction site in the Flatbush area of Brooklyn at about 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Construction worker Caguana, an Ecuadorian migrant, moved to the US six years ago and was the sole provider for his family, his brother, Carlos, told Univision.
He leaves behind his wife, who is set to give birth very soon, and another young child, the anguished sibling revealed.
“Her husband has passed away; he was the sole provider for the family,” Carlos said.
“Now that he’s gone, she is going through an immense amount of pain. She is in a very bad state right now — she’s completely overwhelmed and can’t even find the words to speak.”
Caguana played soccer for the New York-based Club La Bahia NY, with the club’s president honoring the player.
“The [club] is in mourning for the irreparable loss of our neighbor and friend. Your absence leaves an immense void, but you also leave a legacy of love, friendship, and camaraderie,” the club’s president said.
“Rest in peace, my friend. Today my heart cries because your absence leaves an immense void, but you also leave a legacy of love, friendship, and camaraderie.
“I will always remember you as a unique player with that magic in your feet—memories I will never forget.”
Rescuers combed through the rubble Wednesday evening and into Thursday morning, frantically looking for survivors.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed Thursday that eight New Yorkers had died. At least 19 were injured, including three firefighters.
More coverage on the deadly Brooklyn building collapse:
- Brooklyn collapse rescue ‘very reminiscent’ of WTC search — with chunks of neighboring building likely to fall: FDNY
- At least 8 dead, 17 injured in horrific Brooklyn building collapse — follow latest updates
- Dad with heavily pregnant wife ID’d as victim in devastating Brooklyn building collapse
- Overwhelmed husband breaks down as pregnant wife rescued from collapsed NYC building
“There are no words for a loss of this magnitude,” Hizzoner said.
“My heart is with the families and loved ones of those we have lost, those who are injured and everyone grieving today.”
Among those pulled from the rubble was a pregnant woman – who was miraculously found alive. She was rescued about 2½ hours after the building collapsed.
Rescuers now face a race against the clock as a storm is set to roll in at noon, which could complicate their efforts.
“Rain can flood those voids where they are still searching and destabilize the ground they are on,” Laura Kavanagh, the city’s former fire commissioner, told the Times.
“The crews this morning are certainly aware of it and working to complete as much of the search as they can before the rain starts.”
The cause of the building collapse remains unclear, but the New York City Department of Buildings has launched a “full investigation” into the cause of the tragedy, Commissioner Ahmed Tigani said.
“We have immediately launched a full investigation into how exactly this happened with our law enforcement partners, and we will be looking into all aspects of the building and the neighboring construction site,” he said at the scene.
