A Hard Rock Hotel under construction in New Orleans has collapsed, leaving at least one person dead and three unaccounted for.
Nearby buildings were evacuated and officials said the building and an 82-metre construction crane still looming over the site were considered unstable.
It was not immediately clear how that would affect search and rescue efforts. A drone was flown over the site to help authorities assess the situation.
WWL-TV aired and tweeted a viewer's dramatic video of Saturday's collapse, showing upper floors falling on top of each other before one side of the building toppled to the ground.
One person is dead and three are still missing after part of the under construction Hard Rock Hotel collapsed in New Orleans. Source: The Advocate
Evacuees included guests at a hostel across the street from the damaged building.
"I heard a huge noise and thought it was a plane crashing. Then, the hostel shook," guest Sue Hurley, 68, told The Associated Press.
Authorities said 18 people were taken to a hospital for treatment. All were considered stable.
Workers assess the damage after a construction crane collapsed on the site. Source: The Advocate
Governor John Bel Edwards visited the scene and urged people to stay away from the area.
