Additional Coverage:
- Bodies of two iron workers recovered from rubble of Philadelphia parking garage 5 days after partial collapse (foxnews.com)
Philadelphia officials confirmed Monday morning that the bodies of two ironworkers were recovered from the debris of a parking garage that partially collapsed last Wednesday. The tragic incident also claimed the life of a third worker who was initially rescued but later succumbed to his injuries.
All three men were members of the Ironworkers Local 401 union and part of the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades, Mayor Cherelle Parker announced during a press briefing. “To the men and women of Local 401 and to every member of the Philadelphia Building Trades, let me say this: Philadelphia feels your pain, Philadelphia prays for you, and your city stands with you,” Parker expressed.
Authorities have not yet released the names of the deceased pending notification of their families.
The garage, located near 30th Street and Grays Ferry Avenue in South Philadelphia, was under construction to serve the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia at the time of the collapse. Rescue teams initially pulled one man from the rubble, but he died later in the hospital. The other two workers remained missing until Monday’s recovery effort.
Fire Commissioner Jeffery Thompson described the location of the two recovered bodies as being in a stairwell-a distinctive architectural element of the structure. Recovery crews meticulously dismantled portions of the site using hand tools and specialized equipment, aided by a human remains detection dog.
Due to safety concerns, the remaining parts of the garage had to be demolished during the recovery operation. A medical examiner is currently determining the exact cause and manner of death.
Mayor Parker pledged a full, thorough, and independent investigation into the factors that caused the partial collapse. “We should continue to keep the families and all of the loved ones in prayers,” she said, “and we want God to bless the three souls and everyone who has been impacted by this tragedy.”