One person killed, three others missing following New Orleans construction collapse

Part of a Hard Rock Hotel being built in New Orleans has suddenly collapsed, killing at least one person, while three people remain unaccounted for.

A crane collapsed at the site of a Hard Rock Hotel which was under construction in New Orleans. Source: The Advocate

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.

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

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.

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.

Workers assess the damage after a construction crane collapsed on the site. Source: The Advocate

Authorities said 18 people were taken to a hospital for treatment. All were considered stable.

Governor John Bel Edwards visited the scene and urged people to stay away from the area.