A major emergency response was launched in Sydney’s inner city on Monday after a retaining wall and part of a building collapsed in Ultimo, sending tonnes of bricks, concrete, and debris crashing onto parked vehicles and leaving two men seriously injured.
The incident occurred at approximately 11 a.m. on Wattle Street, near a Shell service station, prompting a large-scale response from Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Ambulance, police, and specialist rescue teams.
Emergency crews arrived to find a dangerous scene, with heavy masonry and structural debris scattered across the roadway and crushing several parked vehicles. Firefighters immediately secured the area while conducting searches to ensure no additional people were trapped beneath the rubble.
According to emergency officials, seven people were assessed by paramedics following the collapse. Two men, both believed to be in their 60s, sustained serious injuries, including leg and neck trauma, and were transported to hospital for treatment. Authorities later confirmed that both men’s conditions had stabilized.
Fire and Rescue NSW described the collapse site as highly hazardous, with concerns about the stability of the remaining structure requiring specialist assessment before rescue and recovery operations could continue safely.
As a precaution, nearby buildings were evacuated while structural engineers and emergency personnel evaluated the damaged property. The adjacent Shell service station was also temporarily closed as authorities established exclusion zones and worked to eliminate any ongoing risks to the public.
The collapse caused significant disruption in the area as sections of Wattle Street were closed to allow emergency responders, engineers, and investigators unrestricted access to the site. Motorists and pedestrians were urged to avoid the area while emergency operations remained underway.
SafeWork NSW has launched an investigation into the incident, deploying inspectors, structural engineers, and demolition specialists to examine the collapse and determine what caused the retaining wall and part of the building to fail.
At this stage, the exact cause of the collapse has not been publicly established. Investigators are expected to review the condition of the structure, any ongoing construction or maintenance activity, and other potential contributing factors before releasing their findings.
Authorities have emphasized that public safety remains the top priority as engineers continue assessing the integrity of the remaining structure. Emergency crews are expected to remain at the scene until the area is deemed safe and the investigation has progressed.
Officials are encouraging anyone affected by the incident or who may have witnessed the collapse to cooperate with investigators if requested. Further updates are expected as SafeWork NSW and emergency authorities continue their inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the dramatic building collapse.
