NYC High-Rise Buckles: Indian UN Mission Evacuated Amid Collapse Risk

The building housing the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations was among several premises evacuated in Midtown Manhattan after structural damage rendered an under-construction high-rise unstable, raising concerns of a potential collapse.

The Indian Mission building, located just over a block away from the United Nations Headquarters, houses offices as well as residences of Indian diplomats and other officers. Sources confirmed that all Indian diplomats and their families are safe and have taken necessary precautions following the evacuation orders.

The mission in New York is housed in a 27-storey red granite building built in 1993, designed by Indian architect Charles Correa, and situated between 43rd and 44th Street just off Second Avenue.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the situation as extremely serious and noted that no injuries have been reported so far, with every worker accounted for. The New York Fire Department received reports of a structural issue at an active construction site between Second and Third Avenues on 42nd Street in Manhattan at around 8 a.m. (EDT) on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

The troubled building, previously the headquarters of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, is a 37-storey high-rise with active permits to convert it from a commercial office building to a residential building. First responders found structural issues on the 21st floor, with two structural columns buckled, multiple cracks, and sagging floors. The building remains unstable, and additional movement has been observed in one compromised column.

Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) Chief John Esposito stated, 'The box beams — the steel beams — have started to bend and deflect from the weight. We evacuated the building and started evacuations of surrounding buildings. The building has continued to move since we have been on the scene.' FDNY drones provided technical information and visuals for partner agencies. Approximately 150 FDNY fire and EMS members responded. All workers were accounted for as of 1 p.m. EDT.

The New York Police Department established a frozen zone from 40th to 45th streets between First and Third Avenue, temporarily closing those streets to both pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Mayor Mamdani urged New Yorkers to avoid the area until it is deemed safe. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul said her team is in close contact with city officials and that the State stands ready to provide assistance. Comptroller Mark Levine posted on X that the building is at risk of a localised collapse due to the buckled columns and continued movement.