PHILADELPHIA — Authorities reported on Monday morning that the remains of two workers who were trapped following a roof collapse in a parking garage under construction in Philadelphia have been located.
The incident occurred last Wednesday when a section of the roof at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s garage gave way, leading to a structural failure that impacted all seven floors, as stated by Mayor Cherelle Parker during a press briefing last week. Initially, emergency responders rescued three workers who sustained injuries in the incident; they were transported to medical facilities, where one later succumbed to their injuries. The other two individuals received treatment and were subsequently released. By Thursday, officials indicated that search dogs had not detected any signs of life in the debris.
Throughout the weekend, rescue teams worked diligently to dismantle the precarious structure to facilitate the search, with recovery operations commencing on Sunday evening. The bodies of the workers were discovered and retrieved early on Monday.
“Both individuals were recovered with the highest level of dignity, compassion, and respect for their families and loved ones,” Mayor Parker remarked. The identification of the deceased will be carried out by the Department of Public Health in conjunction with the Medical Examiner’s office.
Additionally, the mayor announced her intention to direct the city solicitor and legal department to conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
