Emergency responders in London have recovered the body of an individual who was trapped for nearly two days in the debris of a partially collapsed building in the city's west side.
According to a media release from city officials, the individual was recovered just before midnight on Saturday. On Friday evening, emergency officials had confirmed that the individual was deceased.
Emergency crews were called to the corner of Teeple Terrace and Wonderland Road South around 11:30 a.m. on Friday after part of a four-storey building collapsed, trapping workers. The mid-rise apartment building, located at 555 Teeple Terrace, was under construction at the time of the incident.
The recovery effort was a coordinated effort involving London Police Service, London Fire Department, Middlesex-London Paramedic Service and the City of London. A private demolition company was also contracted to support the work.
Earlier recovery efforts were slowed because the building was unstable following the collapse.
"Work began late Friday afternoon, but was paused until Saturday morning," stated the release. "For recovery, portions of the building were carefully dismantled until the structure was stable enough to recover the individual without putting emergency workers at risk."
Shortly after the collapse, five people were sent to the hospital, one of which has since been pronounced deceased.
Roads in the area, including Wonderland Road in both directions and Teeple Terrace, were closed while recovery efforts were underway. Wonderland Road has since reopened.
The site will remain secure, as an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse continues.
The City of London said it would not be releasing any further information about the injuries or the victims' identities.
