ECUADORIAN FATHER, 26, AMONG EIGHT KILLED IN HORRIFIC BROOKLYN BUILDING COLLAPSE — LEAVES BEHIND PREGNANT WIFE AND 5-YEAR-OLD SON

José Luis Caguana moved from Ecuador to New York six years ago in search of a better future for his family. Now, his pregnant wife and young son are facing life without the husband and father who worked tirelessly to provide for them.

A family has been left devastated after 26-year-old José Luis Caguana was confirmed among the eight people killed in a catastrophic building collapse in Brooklyn, New York.

The young Ecuadorian father lost his life when an old three-story building collapsed beside an active construction site in the Flatbush neighborhood on Wednesday afternoon, November 11, 2026.

The disaster occurred at approximately 4 p.m., sending massive amounts of concrete, bricks and debris crashing into the neighboring excavation site.

Emergency crews rushed to the scene as reports emerged that people were trapped beneath the wreckage.

Authorities eventually confirmed eight fatalities and at least 19 injuries, including three firefighters, according to the reports.

But behind the growing dєatᩚh toll was a deeply personal tᩚraɢedy for the family of José Luis.

HE CAME TO AMERICA SIX YEARS AGO TO BUILD A BETTER LIFE

José Luis had moved from Ecuador to the United States approximately six years earlier, hoping to create a better future for the people he loved.

He worked in construction and was reportedly the primary breadwinner for his household.

According to his brother, Carlos, who spoke to Univision, José Luis dedicated himself to supporting his family and ensuring they had what they needed.

He was just 26 years old, with much of his life still ahead of him.

His journey to America had been driven by the hope of providing more opportunities for his loved ones.

Instead, his life was cut short in a disaster that has left his family struggling to comprehend the loss.

HIS PREGNANT WIFE WAS JUST DAYS AWAY FROM WELCOMING THEIR BABY

Perhaps the most heartbreaking detail is the family José Luis leaves behind.

His wife is pregnant and reportedly just days away from giving birth to their next child.

The couple also has a five-year-old son who has now lost his father.

The young mother is facing the unimaginable prospect of welcoming a new baby while grieving the sudden dєatᩚh of her husband.

For their little boy, the man who had been part of his everyday life will never return home.

Carlos described the devastating condition of the family following the confirmation of José Luis’s dєatᩚh.

The loss has left relatives and loved ones heartbroken as they try to come to terms with a tᩚraɢedy that happened without warning.

EIGHT PEOPLE KILLED IN DEVASTATING BROOKLYN COLLAPSE

The collapse occurred near Flatbush Avenue and Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn.

The three-story structure fell into an adjoining construction excavation, leaving a massive field of rubble and severely damaging nearby properties.

Firefighters, police officers and emergency medical personnel worked through the debris in an urgent effort to locate victims and survivors.

The rescue operation involved hundreds of emergency responders, who faced dangerous conditions as they searched the unstable wreckage.

At least 19 people were reported injured, including three firefighters.

The surrounding area was secured while authorities assessed the structural safety of neighboring buildings.

QUESTIONS EMERGE OVER CONSTRUCTION SAFETY

The disaster has also raised serious questions about the construction activity taking place beside the collapsed building.

Previous inspection records reportedly showed safety violations at the neighboring construction site, including concerns about inadequate protection for nearby properties.

Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the collapse, including the condition of the older structure and the excavation work next door.

However, authorities have not yet established the definitive cause of the disaster.

The investigation will be crucial in determining whether construction-related activity contributed to the collapse and whether additional safety measures should have been in place.

A FAMILY’S FUTURE CHANGED FOREVER

José Luis came to America with hopes of building a secure future for his family.

He worked hard, supported his wife and son, and was preparing to welcome another child into the world.

Now, his pregnant wife must face the arrival of their baby without him by her side.

His five-year-old son has lost his father, and his relatives are left mourning a young man whose life ended far too soon.

Behind the eight lives lost in Brooklyn is a story of families, dreams and futures suddenly taken away.

For José Luis’s loved ones, the pain is made even greater by knowing that he was so close to meeting his new baby.

He left Ecuador in search of a better life for his family. Tragically, he will never return home to them.

May José Luis Caguana rest in peace, and may his wife, children and family find the strength to face the days ahead. 🕊️