Evacuation in Manhattan: Two load-bearing columns warped in high-rise on East 42nd Street

Responders and authorities on site

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani spoke of an "extremely serious situation." He was "grateful to report that there are currently no injuries," he was quoted as saying further.

According to a report by the "New York Times," emergency services were alerted because of falling debris. People in surrounding hotels, commercial buildings, and apartments were brought to safety; a school also had to be evacuated.

Clifford Johnsen of the construction union Steamfitters Local 638 criticized the renovations in the Pfizer tower. "I have been in construction for 21 years, and I have never seen a beam sag in the middle - that is extremely dangerous," Johnsen said.

Background: The Pfizer tower

The building in question is a 37-story tower that served as Pfizer's headquarters. Which specific construction work was underway at the time of the incident was initially unclear. The Department of Buildings announced further investigations.

The fire department posted an update via the messaging platform X about the "major technical response" in Manhattan. The authorities did not initially specify the exact sequence of the evacuation or the number of affected residents and employees in the surrounding buildings.

Situation in Midtown Manhattan

East 42nd Street is a heavily traveled corridor in Midtown Manhattan that runs past important office buildings, hotels, and the UN headquarters. A closure in this area typically has significant impacts on traffic and daily life in the neighborhood.

The FDNY (Fire Department of New York) coordinated the operation together with the police and the city Department of Buildings. Mamdani announced he would keep the public informed about further findings. Observers noted that similar incidents at older high-rises in New York had previously led to comprehensive safety reviews.