NY streets evacuated as building columns buckle

Emergency services evacuated a busy Manhattan street block during the Tuesday morning rush hour after structural columns buckled inside a skyscraper undergoing construction work, according to firefighters.

The former head office of the drug giant Pfizer, near Grand Central station and the United Nations headquarters, is being converted from offices into apartments in a major transformation project of the 38-storey tower.

"Upon arrival, units determined two columns buckled on the 21st and 22nd Floor," the New York Fire Department said in a statement.

"Floors sagging between 21st and 26th floor. Approximately 40 units, 130 fire and Emergency Medical Service personnel utilized.

No reported injuries at this time."

Nearby hotels, businesses and apartments were evacuated and streets were closed as a precaution as police and firefighters swarmed the area, AFP correspondents saw.

New York's Department of Buildings wrote on X that its "structural engineers are on scene investigating reports of potential structural issues at 235 East 42 street, Manhattan."

"First responders have advised commuters avoid the area and use alternate routes."

Construction worker Eddie, 28, told AFP he was evacuated from the site and that he "was down below and I saw everyone starting to come down. Just then, they let me know that a column was broken."