New York City authorities evacuated a street block in Midtown Manhattan on Tuesday after an under-construction high-rise became unstable, with buckling columns and sagging floors, raising fears of a possible collapse.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani reported that two structural columns on the 21st and 22nd floors had buckled, along with multiple cracks and sagging floors between the 21st and 26th floors. He noted additional movement in one compromised column since first responders arrived.

Calling the situation "extremely serious," Mamdani confirmed no injuries and that all workers were accounted for. The project engineer is working with structural engineers to develop a stabilization plan.

Fire Chief John Esposito said that due to the steel-frame construction, a collapse would likely be localized rather than total. Emergency struts and beams are being brought in to reinforce the structure.

Among those evacuated were about 400 students from a nearby school. Firefighters responded to initial reports of falling bricks around 8 a.m. local time.

Nearby streets have been closed to pedestrians and vehicles. Mamdani stated that residents will be allowed to return only when officials are fully confident the buildings are safe.

Source: www.dw.com