Buckled Columns Force Evacuations at Manhattan High-Rise Under Construction

A 37-story building in Manhattan was evacuated Tuesday after officials say two structural columns buckled on the 21st floor.

The building, a commercial office tower being converted into apartments, started showing cracks and sagging floors before bricks began falling to the street below, according to officials. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the columns' failure has left the building unstable, and the city's fire chief called the situation "very serious."

First responders are now working to stabilize the building so engineers can move in and shore it up, officials said. Several nearby buildings were evacuated as a precaution, and surrounding streets have been closed while crews respond.

No injuries have been reported at this time, though officials haven't said when residents and workers near the site will be able to return.