Harlem Explosion: New York Building Collapse Hits Latino Families Hardest

The explosion in New York's neighborhood of East Harlem left many people injured and at least 7 people dead after a giant gas explosion caused the collapse of two building. However, according to Univision, the hardest hit have been the Hispanic families who live in the neighborhood. Indeed, East Harlem is nicknamed 'Spanish Harlem' for a reason: it has one of the highest concentrations of Puerto Ricans in all of New York City. In the 2000 Census, 52.1 percent District describe themselves as of Hispanic origin.

Nightmare stories have emerged from numerous Latino residents. Such as that of Jorge Ortega, 4, and Flavia Mendoza, who, as soon as they heard the tremendous explosion that rocked 116th street, ran to the site of the building collapse in search of their son-in-law, Yory Salas, 20, who was inside building 1646. "It's terrible, I haven't heard anything from my son-in-law. I was working a few blocks from here when I heard the explosion. I came here immediately when I heard Yory was here," said Jorge. "We are praying and hoping to God he is ok."