Two construction workers were tragically killed at New York JFK Airport on Monday after they were trapped under ‘construction rubble’ when a trench unexpectedly collapsed.
Authorities were first alerted to the horrific accident at around 11:08 am on April 3, prompting a mass emergency response with around 60 firefighters in 12 units responding to the incident.
In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, the Port Authority warned of road traffic congestion around the airport. The airport later tweeted that a ‘stop order’ had been issued on all construction work at JFK.
“The Port Authority is conducting a thorough investigation and will be cooperating with all other investigative agencies,” the tweet continued.
Along with the New York Fire Department, the Port Authority Police Department and Emergency Medical Services also responded to the accident.
First responders managed to pull both of the workers from under the rubble, but they were both pronounced dead at the scene.
New York governor Kathy Hochul also said of the incident: “My thoughts are with the loved ones of two people tragically killed while working on a construction site at JFK Airport earlier today”.
JFK Airport broke ground on a brand new terminal in September 2022, which is slated to open in three years’ time. The New Terminal One or NTO, will have 23 gates and more than 300,000 square feet of dining, retail, lounges, and recreational space.
A host of other construction work is already underway at JFK, including a $4.2 billion project for a new Terminal 6, which broke ground in February.
