1 dead, 3 missing in New Orleans building collapse

One person has died and another three are missing after the upper part of a building collapsed in New Orleans, according to authorities.

The upper six to eight floors of the Hard Rock Hotel, which had been under construction for several months, came crashing onto the streets of downtown New Orleans Saturday.

WATCH: Part of New Orleans Hard Rock Hotel under construction collapses

0:42 Part of New Orleans Hard Rock Hotel under construction collapses

Health officials said that 18 people have been transported to the hospital and one person refused emergency care.

Emergency crews first responded after reports came in of the collapse at about 9:12 a.m. (CDT).

1:24 New Orleans building collapse cause remains unclear, possibility of further collapse remains

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During a press conference, officials said that the building is still unstable and that a “further collapse is still possible.” A crane that was dislodged during the collapse is still in place but unsupported, according to officials.

“This remains a very fluid and very dangerous situation, and every few minutes something is falling off this building,” said Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards during the press conference.

1:10 Authorities confirm two dead in building collapse at New Orleans hotel construction site

The New Orleans Fire Department evacuated buildings and cordoned off streets surrounding the area. It is still not clear what caused the building to collapse.

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“It looked like the concrete just slid from the top all the way down to the street,” witness Matt Worges told local news site Nola.com. “The concrete just started to slide down the side.”

– With files from The Associated Press