A tense situation unfolded in New York City when a high-rise building undergoing renovation in Manhattan showed warping of its columns and beams, and sagging floors, leading to evacuation of people from the building and surrounding areas, along with closure of several roads as officials rushed to assess the risk of collapse.
A tense incident occurred in Manhattan, New York City, USA, when a high-rise building being renovated for conversion into luxury apartments exhibited structural abnormalities. Officials found some columns and beams bending while floors were sagging, prompting urgent evacuation of workers and nearby occupants, as well as closure of several roads for safety.
The building, originally constructed in the 1970s, was once the global headquarters of pharmaceutical company Pfizer. It is located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City's business center, near landmarks such as the Chrysler Building, Grand Central Terminal, and the United Nations headquarters.
The incident began during rush hour around 08:00 local time after reports of possible falling bricks from the building prompted firefighters and rescue teams to respond quickly. Although New York City's Department of Buildings later stated no evidence was found to confirm falling debris, inspections revealed parts of the structure were warping and still shifting, leading to immediate escalation of safety measures.
New York City Mayor Sohran Mamdani stated that no injuries were reported and all workers had been accounted for. He announced closures of the area from 40th to 45th Streets between 1st and 3rd Avenues, prohibiting vehicle and pedestrian access until the building’s safety can be assured.
City officials deployed drones to survey the building’s exterior to minimize risks to personnel entering the site. Meanwhile, engineers and emergency responders are conducting detailed inspections floor by floor to develop reinforcement plans to prevent further structural settling.
Although initial assessments showed some positive signs, authorities continue to evacuate surrounding buildings, including a nearby school and the Israeli consulate across the street, to mitigate risks should the structure shift further.
Additionally, records from New York City’s Department of Buildings show that this construction project has previously been fined multiple times for safety violations, including incidents of metal and glass debris falling from the site and worker accidents involving falls from ladders during operations, raising heightened concerns about the project's safety standards following this latest event.
:AP
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