The Fire Department of New York says the workers were in a five-story building when it collapsed Tuesday. Two of the injured are in serious condition.
Images from a helicopter over the scene in Brighton Beach showed rescuers scrambling to claw their way through a pile of rubble where the building had mostly crumbled to the ground. One trapped worker was pulled onto a stretcher and lowered to the ground.
Buildings Department spokesman Tony Sclafani says inspectors are investigating whether improper procedures played a role in the collapse. He says work permits were issued in July, 2011 and that there were no open violations.
