Two construction workers killed at JFK

Two workers were killed in a construction accident Monday morning at John F. Kennedy International Airport, authorities said.

The victims were found trapped under construction rubble at the airport, where a multi-billion-dollar project is ongoing. The tragedy was not at any of the terminals, but involved workers’ relocating utility lines near a cogeneration plant to support the increased energy needs of the JFK redevelopment.

All construction work at the Queens airport was stopped and an investigation launched by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the airport. Other agencies are participating in the probe.

The Port Authority police were called to the scene at about 11:08 a.m. and responded along with the NYPD, Fire Department and Emergency Medical Service.

The airport is undergoing a $13 billion overhaul, which includes the replacement of Terminal 1, which will span the footprint of Terminals 1 and 2 and the former site of Terminal 3, which was demolished in 2013.

Construction on the new terminal began last year. The project is being financed by a group led by the Carlyle Group along with Johnson Loop Capital Infrastructure and Union Labor Life Insurance Company. AECOM Tishman, the construction manager, said the fatalities did not involve its project. 

In February, state officials celebrated the groundbreaking of Terminal 6, a $4.2 billion project that will cover 1.2 million square feet and include 10 new gates. The terminal is being developed by JFK Millennium Partners, a consortium that includes RXR Realty, Vantage Airport Group and American Triple I. AECOM Hunt is the construction manager.  

Names of the victims were being withheld pending notification of their families. Flights at the airport were not affected.