Emergency services evacuated Permanent Mission of India to the UN on Tuesday after structural damage was reported at nearby high-rise under construction in Midtown Manhattan . New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani characterized the situation as "extremely serious," although no injuries have been reported.
The building at 235 East 42nd Street,which previously served as headquarters for pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, is undergoing conversion from commercial office space to residential units. The 37-story structure has been deemed unstable due to significant damage, including buckled structural columns and sagging floors.
At around 8 a.m. local time,the New York Fire Department received reports of "structural issue" at the construction site located between Second and Third Avenues. First responders quickly arrived to assess situation,discovering critical problems on the 21st floor of the high-rise.
two load-bearing columns have buckled, raising alarms about the building's integrity. "The building remains unstable," he stated,noting that there has been "additional movement" observed in one of the compromised columns.
Approximately 150 members of Fire Department of New York (FDNY) and emergency medical services responded to the scene . Chief John Esposito emphasized the gravity of the situation,explaining that the steel beams have begun to bend under the weight of the structure. Evacuations were initiated not only for the troubled building but also for surrounding premises .
The Indian Mission building, located just across the street, houses offices and residences for Indian diplomats and their families. Fortunately, all personnel have been accounted for and are following safety protocols as the situation unfolds.
In response to the crisis, New York Police Department established a "frozen zone" from 40th to 45th streets between First and Third Avenues, restricting access to both pedestrians and vehicles. Mamdani urged residents to avoid the area until it is declared safe.
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul is in close communication with city officials and has mobilized the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to assist on-site. She reiterated the importance of public safety, urging people to steer clear of the vicinity.
City Comptroller Mark Levine reported on social media that the building is at risk of a localized collapse due to the compromised structural columns. He noted the presence of multiple cracks and sagging floors, which have been documented using FDNY drones for technical assessments .
Authorities are currently exploring options to stabilize the 21st floor by installing additional beams to distribute the load. However,this can only occur once the building has been deemed stable enough for entry. Investigations are also underway to determine the cause of the structural failures.
As situation develops,city officials remain vigilant, monitoring the building's condition closely. evacuation of the Indian Mission and surrounding areas reflects the seriousness of the structural issues at the construction site, underscoring need for immediate action to ensure public safety.
