The collapse occurred near a Shell service station on Wattle Street. Debris crushed several vehicles and trapped workers, prompting a major emergency response involving firefighters, specialist rescue crews and drones
Two men have been seriously injured after part of a concrete retaining wall collapsed in the inner-Sydney suburb of Ultimo.
The incident occurred shortly before 11am on Monday near a Shell service station on Wattle Street.
Debris fell onto the area below, crushing parked vehicles and initially trapping several workers. Two people were taken to hospital in serious condition, while another five were assessed by paramedics at the scene.
Two men taken to hospital
NSW Ambulance said a man in his 60s was transported to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
A second man, aged in his 30s, was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital.
Both were reported to be in serious condition.
Footage from the scene showed paramedics assisting a man believed to be a tradesperson as he sat on the kerb with a towel around his neck. He was later escorted into an ambulance.
Vehicles crushed by debris
Several vehicles parked near the service station were struck by falling concrete and rubble.
A hatchback was completely crushed, while debris also damaged a utility vehicle belonging to Modus Projects.
Other workers’ vehicles parked only metres away escaped damage.
A Modus Projects spokesperson said the company was carrying out work at an adjoining site but confirmed that none of its employees or contractors had been injured.
Delivery rider escaped moments before collapse
Uber delivery rider Mahrouk Abdou said he had been parked beneath the wall only minutes before it came down.
He said he heard an unusual noise and decided to move his scooter.
The wall collapsed around two minutes later.
“I feel lucky, but I hope the people who are injured will be safe,” he said.
Service station closed and nearby buildings evacuated
Fire and Rescue NSW closed the service station and ordered the evacuation of surrounding buildings.
More than 35 people were moved away from the area as a precaution.
Emergency crews are monitoring potential electrical and gas hazards because of the collapse’s proximity to the fuel station.
Firefighters, urban search and rescue specialists and drone operators remain at the site, checking the stability of the remaining structure and ensuring nobody is still trapped beneath the rubble.
Possible workplace incident
Authorities are treating the collapse as a possible workplace incident.
Investigators will examine the condition of the retaining wall, the construction activity taking place nearby and whether there were any warning signs before the structure failed.
SafeWork NSW is expected to assess whether a formal workplace safety investigation is required.
The affected warehouse had previously been used as a rehearsal studio and had been approved for demolition to make way for a multi-storey mixed-use development.
Structural checks continue
Emergency crews are working to ensure there is no further risk of collapse.
Nearby buildings are expected to remain evacuated until engineers complete safety inspections.
Road closures and traffic disruptions are likely around Wattle Street while emergency operations continue.
