One person has died, and two people are missing after a partial collapse at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia parking garage under construction in the city’s Grays Ferry neighborhood Wednesday.

Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson said nearby crews responded to the collapse at the parking garage on the 3000 block of Grays Ferry Avenue at 2:16 p.m. They were able to rescue three people. One of the construction workers died at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, while the other two were treated and released.

“It’s been a difficult day for the city of Philadelphia,” Thompson said.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker asked Philadelphians to pray for those affected by the collapse Wednesday night and said it’s an active search and rescue operation for two people who remain unaccounted for.

“We are not, we will not give up on these individuals, and we will not rest until everyone is accounted for from this tragedy,” Parker said.

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CBS News Philadelphia

Three of the five workers affected by the collapse were members of Ironworkers Union Local 401, a building trades source said.

Thompson said the seven-story parking garage is unstable, and the search for the two missing workers will take time. 

Thompson said that engineers are on the scene of the collapse because the building will need to be carefully deconstructed in order to make sure it’s safe for members of the Philadelphia Fire Department to search for the workers. 

“Please bear with us as we continue to conduct this operation,” Thompson said. “We cannot give you a timeframe on how long it’s going to take because as we move through this process. We are constantly revaulting this structure and making plans to make sure we can conduct this operation as safely as possible.”

What to know about Philadelphia parking garage collapse

During Wednesday night’s news conference, Parker provided more details on what led to the deadly collapse. 

Parker said a subcontractor working at the parking garage was in the process of installing precast concrete flooring, decking and roofing segments, and one of them failed. This triggered a progressive collapse from all seven levels, according to Parker. 

“The precast concrete segments were manufactured offsite and installed by the manufacturer,” Parker said. “This process doesn’t require standard L&I inspection. Instead, it falls under required special inspections that include periodic inspections for precast concrete installations.”   

Parker said the collapse was also contained to the 30th Street side of the stair tower.

The Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections has launched an investigation into the collapse and will audit all contractors and subcontractors working on the parking garage, Parker said.

Parker added that all permits required for the construction were approved and inspections were up to date. 

CHOP cooperating with parking garage collapse investigation

Parker said she’s been in contact Madeline Bell, the CEO of CHOP, after the collapse and said they’re cooperating with the investigation. 

“Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is aware of a serious construction incident at our parking garage construction site on 3000 Grays Ferry Avenue in Philadelphia,” a CHOP spokesperson said in a statement. “We are prioritizing the safety of the construction workers at this time and working closely with the City of Philadelphia and our construction partners. We will share additional information as it becomes available.”

According to the CHOP’s website, the garage is being built to expand employee parking. Before its construction, however, many people in the community sought to stop the project, citing issues with traffic, pollution and health risks to the neighborhood.

Parker said she’s also been in contact with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.

“Lori and I are praying for those injured in the parking garage that partially collapsed in Grays Ferry today, for the family of the individual who was tragically killed, and for the families who continue to wait while first responders search for their loved ones,” Shapiro wrote in part on X.

Road closures in area of Philadelphia parking garage collapse

Philadelphia officials are urging people to avoid where the collapse happened at the 3000 block Grays Ferry Avenue as crews continue to investigate and search for the unaccounted workers. 

Philadelphia Police Department First Deputy Commissioner John Stanford said that Grays Ferry Avenue from 29th to 33rd streets is closed Wednesday night, along with the shopping center across the street, due to the active scene. The streets and shopping center, which includes a Fresh Grocer, McDonalds and more will also be closed Thursday. 

“Please stay away from this location while crews are here doing what they need to do,” Stanford said. “Please do not come to try and take pictures or just to be on site or any of those types of things. The best thing you need to do is stay away from location and pray for everyone that’s involved in the situation.”

Stanford said the the stretch of Grays Ferry Avenue and the shopping center will reopen when they determine it’s safe. 

Multiple agencies, including the Philadelphia Fire Department, Philadelphia Police Department and L&I, will be on the scene of the collapse until the investigation is completed. 

Updates on the collapse will be posted on the city of Philadelphia’s website. 

Nikki DeMentri,

Ross DiMattei and

Andrew Krietz

contributed to this report.

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