At Least 2 Dead, 20 Injured when Part of Hard Rock Hotel Collapses

[kellyhound]

A large portion of a Hard Rock Hotel under construction in New Orleans collapsed Saturday morning, killing at least two people and injuring 20 others, authorities said. The building bordering the city's historic French Quarter is considered unstable and officials said further collapse is possible.

Three people were initially reported missing, though one has since been found, according to the New Orleans Fire Department. Authorities said no one on the ground was injured in the collapse.

According to Mayor LaToya Cantrell, 112 people were in the building at the time of collapse. Though the search for those missing was suspended for the evening, Cantrell confirmed that rescuers found two bodies but were unable to retrieve them.

Cantrell added that another crane was en route to assist with search and rescue efforts once those resume.

Streets surrounding the site were closed and some buildings were evacuated, including the nearby 145-year-old New Orleans Athletic Club.

Video of the collapse shows construction workers running for their lives as the parts of the hotel came crashing down.

Governor John Bel Edwards was at the scene urging residents to stay away from the area. "I'm just asking for everybody to pray for those who are at the hospital," Edwards told reporters.

Mayor Cantrell issued a statement saying "our hearts break for the loss of life."

Construction plans for the 350-room hotel include a 12,000 square foot event space, two ballrooms and a residential space, according to a news release.

Hard Rock International issued a statement claiming it was not involved in the construction of the building.

"Citadel Builders LLC was contracted by Kailas Companies, owner of the project, to build the Hard Rock Hotel based on a brand licensing agreement with Hard Rock International, the future manager of the hotel," the statement read.

"Hard Rock has had no involvement in the construction of the project. We want to extend our deepest sympathies to victims of this tragic accident and to their loved ones and friends."

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hard-ro...-live-updates/

[Suicide_Note]

Awesome footage!

[Kinky_John]

In the first video clip you can see people running away from the collapse

[christianbeccy]

It's a new game, called Prop Roulette.

The aim of the game is that each worker has to remove a structural prop, the one that causes the collapse is the loser.

[kellyhound]

New Orleans officials have set off a series of explosions to topple two cranes that had been looming precariously over the ruins of a partially collapsed hotel.

The demolition was carried out Sunday afternoon, a little more than a week after the shocking collapse of the Hard Rock Hotel that was being built near a corner of the city's historic French Quarter.

Loud blasts boomed over the city skyline as most of one crane appeared to fall to the ground and part of another appeared after the controlled blasts to still be dangling atop the hotel.

The two cranes were badly damaged when the hotel's upper floors had collapsed onto each other on Oct. 21. Three workers died in the collapse.

[Teacupmydear]

Absolutely supreme post! Enjoyed it greatly, especially as I’m Orleanian. Those poor men are still in that bldg.; it sits there rotting next to the Saenger Theatre which is where they have Broadway plays.
On the news there was a story about a survivor who reported the floors moving under him to a supervisor and was told to go back to work. The police, et.al, got his statement and everything and then next thing you know he gets arrested by ICE and deported to the Honduras. I find that level of stupidity astounding, even for New Orleans.

[cusco]

Great footage.
So how old are those buildings? 1960s? They don't look that old so suffer such a catastrophic collapse on their own. So was the plan to revovate the building for Hard Rock but for whatever reason the construction may have weakened the structure?

Basically what is above the white part collapsed. Did the builders remove the load bearing walls and columns?!

[cusco]

Great footage.
So how old are those buildings? 1960s? They don't look that old so suffer such a catastrophic collapse on their own. So was the plan to revovate the building for Hard Rock but for whatever reason the construction may have weakened the structure?

Basically what is above the white part collapsed. Did the builders remove the load bearing walls and columns?!

[cusco]

3 footage.
So how old are those buildings? 1960s? They don't look that old so suffer such a catastrophic collapse on their own. So was the plan to revovate the building for Hard Rock but for whatever reason the construction may have weakened the structure?

Basically what is above the white part collapsed. Did the builders remove the load bearing walls and columns?!

[cusco]

Oops double post. Please delete, mods!