New York building collapse kills several people

Several people have died after a building in New York City collapsed into an open construction site on Wednesday afternoon.

More than a dozen others are injured, and some of them are in a critical condition, according to the BBC's US partner CBS News, which cited local officials.

The collapse sparked a massive search-and-rescue operation, with more than 250 first responders going to the scene of the fallen three-storey building in Brooklyn.

Aerial footage has shown firefighters pulling a survivor, covered in dust, out of the debris on a stretcher. She was later said to have been a pregnant woman.

Officials previously said they did not know how many others are missing. The BBC has contacted the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) for further comment.

An investigation is under way into what caused the sudden collapse.

Witnesses described a terrifying sound as the building came down at about 16:00 local time (21:00 GMT).

"I live literally right behind the building," one woman, Emmanuella Carilus, told the New York Times. "It sounded like a big boom and you just heard a bunch of screaming."

The newspaper published images showing a crowd of fire trucks and police vehicles at the same, and wrote that the noise of sirens had not stopped in the area.

"I've never seen anything like this," said another witness, named only as Dashik, who spoke to local television station PIX 11.

Officials are yet to identify those who died or were injured.

Locals have gathered at the scene to await news of those feared to have been caught in the collapse.

The rescue mission has been described as "extremely dangerous" by New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore.

She added that people from the collapsed building and also the construction site had been trapped.

"Members have been working methodically and haven't stopped since they arrived this afternoon," Bonsignore said.

The woman who was filmed being rescued from the rubble was identified by her husband.

Speaking to a reporter from CBS News New York, he described his relief after an anxious wait: "She is alive. She is still alive. I'm very happy. I'm very happy. I'm very happy. I thank all of you guys. She's pregnant, six months."

Rescuers have used search dogs, drones, axes and chainsaws to carry out their work. They say they anticipate the effort will last for several days.