Authorities in New York City evacuated a street block on Tuesday after an under-construction high-rise near Grand Central Station became unstable due to buckling columns and sagging floors. The building, currently undergoing renovation to convert it into luxury apartments, raised concerns of a potential collapse.
Structural Concerns Prompt Evacuations
Mayor Zohran Mamdani reported that two structural columns had buckled, along with multiple cracks and sagging floors observed between the 21st and 26th floors. "This is an extremely serious situation," Mamdani stated, emphasizing that no injuries had been reported and all workers were accounted for.
Emergency responders were alerted to the scene at approximately 8 a.m. local time, following reports of falling bricks. As a precaution, officials evacuated around 400 students from a nearby school located within the evacuation zone, and nearby streets were closed to pedestrians and vehicles.
Officials Work to Stabilize the Building
Fire Chief John Esposito indicated that the building's steel-frame construction would likely lead to a localized collapse rather than a complete failure. Structural engineers are collaborating with the project engineer to devise plans for shoring up the compromised structure.
