6 Now Dead in Philadelphia Building Collapse

Death toll rises
By Newser Editors,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 5, 2013 11:04 AM CDT
Updated Jun 5, 2013 10:25 PM CDT
4-Story Building Collapses in Philadelphia
Rescue personnel search the scene of a building collapse on the edge of downtown Philadelphia Wednesday.   (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma)

Five more bodies have been pulled from the rubble of today's building collapse in downtown Philadelphia, bringing the death toll to six, reports AP. The collapse happened when a building under demolition unexpectedly came crashing down this morning, destroying an adjoining Salvation Army thrift shop and crushing some who were browsing in the store, reports the Inquirer. Another 14 people were injured, including one woman who was found 12 hours after the collapse.

It's still not clear what caused the collapse, or what stage the demolition process was at when it occurred, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer. Police used the term "industrial accident," and an OSHA spokesperson says the agency was told it was an accident at a demolition site, reports CNN. "There are demolitions taking place on a daily basis," says Mayor Michael Nutter. "So it's not unusual that there would be people in a store or building next to where a demolition is taking place." The buildings were located in a heavily-trafficked part of the city, near the popular Mutter Museum. (More Philadelphia stories.)

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