Floor collapse at East London bar injures at least 13 people, authorities say

February 13, 2022

Floor collapse at East London bar injures at least 13 people, authorities say

hackney wick — The scene at Two More Years.
Harriet McMahon

A bar floor collapsed Saturday, injuring at least 13 people, according to authorities.
The incident happened at the East London establishment Two More Years.
A woman at the scene told Insider: "I looked up and the whole ceiling was coming towards us."

At least 13 people were injured after a mezzanine floor collapsed at a bar in East London.

The incident occurred at Two More Years in the neighborhood of Hackney Wick at 4:44 p.m. on Saturday.

London Ambulance Service (LAS) said it declared a "major incident" and were called to the scene after reports that part of a building had collapsed.

Brian Jordan, LAS Strategic Commander, said: "We declared a major incident and dispatched a number of resources to the scene."

LAS said it treated 13 people in total. Three patients suffered serious injuries and 10 people had more minor injuries, it said in a tweet. Four people were taken to hospitals and major trauma centres.

Photos and videos of the incident were posted on Twitter by LAS of the scene.

Harriet McMahon, who was at the bar, told Insider she and her boyfriend were "a bit bruised but OK."

"Nobody knew what was happening," she said. "I looked up and the whole ceiling was coming towards us." McMahon said they moved as fast as they could "but everything was coming down and were just on the floor with stuff falling everywhere."

She added: "The tables were coming and it was just like a huge cloud of dust with debris falling and everyone screaming."

—London Ambulance Service 💙 (@Ldn_Ambulance) February 12, 2022

According to London Fire Bridge station commander Sacha Clement, seven people were found trapped atop the remaining part of the balcony floor, per BBC.

"Crews used a ladder to bridge between the floor and the internal staircase to get them safely out of the building," Clement said.

In her tweet about the incident, McMahon said: "It was terrifying, can't quite believe we aren't dead."

One man who was also at the bar tweeted: "I'm very much OK (as is everyone who was in the building from what I know), but fuck that was terrifying."

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said in response to the incident: "My thoughts are with those affected by the incident in Hackney Wick this evening."

He added: "I want to thank @LDN_Ambulance @LondonFire @MetPoliceUK for their swift action. A number of people have been treated at the scene & taken to hospital. I wish all those injured a speedy recovery."

Two More Years did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider