At least two people remain unaccounted for following yesterday's devastating gas explosion in the East Village, according to an NYPD spokesman who says police "are investigating all possible claims" of missing persons. Multiple media outlets have identified one of the missing individuals as Nicholas Figueroa, who was eating lunch in Second Avenue restaurant Sushi Park when workers triggered a gas explosion in the basement.
Figueroa, 23, remains unaccounted for. A bank statement obtained by his family shows that he paid for his lunch using a debit card shortly before the explosion. An unidentified woman who had joined Figueroa for lunch was injured in the blast and taken to Bellevue Hospital, where she was treated for a broken nose. But she was apparently so dazed that she didn't recall having lunch with Figueroa, who works at Bowlmor Lanes at Chelsea Piers.
"She was delirious and couldn’t even remember who she was hanging out with this afternoon,” Figueroa’s cousin told the Post. "Later she came to her senses and remembered she was out having sushi with Nicholas."
Figueroa's brother Tyler tells the Times, "My father is not stable, because he’s crying so much. The police said that they’re looking into it, but we just want to know how this could’ve happened... I don’t know what to do. We’re just praying that they find him."
ABC 7 reports that a second unaccounted-for person is an unnamed restaurant worker. At least 19 people were injured as a result of the explosion and the ensuing building collapse and fire. Four victims are critically injured, with the most serious injuries caused by sustained burns and smoke inhalation. According to ABC 7, one victim may lose an eye.
