Demolition underway at site of deadly Iowa apartment building collapse

The bodies of three residents were recovered in the rubble.

June 12, 2023, 9:58 AM

Demolition is underway Monday at the site of the Davenport, Iowa, apartment building that partially collapsed last month, claiming three lives.

PHOTO: A police officer watches the start of the demolition of the partially collapsed apartment building, June 12, 2023, in Davenport, Iowa.
A police officer watches the start of the demolition of the partially collapsed apartment building, June 12, 2023, in Davenport, Iowa. The six-story, 80-unit building partially collapsed May 28.
Charlie Neibergall/AP
Demolition begins on the six-story apartment building, June 12, 2023, in Davenport, Iowa, after it partially collapsed on May 28.
WQAD

Parts of the six-story building crumbled on May 28, sending residents fleeing for safety.

Eight people were rescued in the first 24 hours after the collapse. On May 29, officials said there was no credible information that anyone was missing and the city would move forward with plans to begin demolishing the remaining structure the next day.

A police officer stands at the site of a collapsed apartment building, June 5, 2023, in Davenport, Iowa.
Charlie Neibergall/AP, FILE

But that night, rescuers found a ninth person alive inside and pulled her out of a fourth-story window.

On May 30, the city's demolition plans were put on hold as officials announced that five residents were still unaccounted for.

On June 1, officials announced that three residents remained missing: Ryan Hitchcock, 51; Daniel Prien, 60; and Branden Colvin, 42. Their bodies were recovered in the days that followed.

A worker watches debris fall during demolition at the site of a building collapse, June 12, 2023, in Davenport, Iowa.
Charlie Neibergall/AP
Clothing is removed from a closet during demolition at the site of a building collapse, June 12, 2023, in Davenport, Iowa.
Charlie Neibergall/AP