Israeli soldiers using search dogs were trying to locate five workers trapped in the wreckage of a Tel Aviv parking garage that was under construction when it collapsed Monday, killing two and injuring two dozen others.
One of the victims was a 28-year-old construction worker from Ukraine, Israeli police spokeswoman Luba Samri told NBC News.
The unfolding rescue drama in the Ramat Hachayal neighborhood was being closely monitored by the Israeli government.
Moshe Levi, a United Hatzala rescue worker, said he found "a lot of wounded people" when he arrived at the scene.
"There are more people under the rubble," Levi added.
The Magen David Adom ambulance service confirmed two people had died.
Initially, the ambulance service tweeted that 20 people were feared trapped. Tel Aviv Police Chief Chico Edri later told a press conference later five people were missing.
The structure that collapsed was a multi-level underground parking garage that was to serve a soon-to-be constructed office block, another police spokesman, Micky Rosenfeld, said.