Tower crane swaying like a candy stick... No casualties thanks to COVID-19

Crane Tower Accident at New Building on Manhattan Billionaires' Row

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] A movie-like incident actually occurred where a towering tower crane swayed uncontrollably and debris fell.

The tower crane of the building standing through thick clouds is swaying in the wind.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

According to ABC and other broadcasts, the accident occurred on the evening of the 29th (local time) at the Steinway Tower construction site, an 84-story residential building, the tallest in the world, located near the luxury store street on 5th Avenue in Manhattan, New York City, West 57th Street.

On that day, the fire department responded to reports of metal debris falling from the sky obscured by thick clouds. New York City authorities immediately halted construction and crane operations.

The cause was the tower crane used in the building's construction. Although this tower crane was designed to withstand winds up to 100 miles per hour, it was determined that the cables had loosened, causing the incident.

The fire department banned traffic in four nearby blocks immediately, citing the possibility of further problems. The reopening time has not yet been announced.

The accident site is also adjacent to the building housing the Consulate General and Cultural Center in New York. The Consulate General and Cultural Center stated, "No one was injured."

Located in an area commonly called the street of billionaires, this building gained great fame for its width-to-height ratio of only 1 to 24. Even standing alongside large tower cranes, the thinness of the building is clearly noticeable, making it recognizable to anyone visiting Central Park.

It attracted attention not only for its height and shape but also as an ultra-luxury residential facility.

The tower crane itself also gained fame. This crane attracted attention as the tallest freestanding crane in New York history.

Construction of this building began in 2014 and was scheduled for completion by the end of this year, but due to this accident, the completion date is now uncertain.

Even if completed as planned, it was uncertain whether occupancy would proceed normally, as many billionaires living in Manhattan had moved to suburban areas due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Debris fallen from the Steinway Tower is left unattended on the road. [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

In the past, Manhattan, where many super high-rise buildings have been constructed, frequently experienced tower crane and large crane accidents. Although casualties occurred in previous accidents, no one was injured this time. This is attributed to the reduced foot traffic amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coincidentally, this accident occurred as some luxury shops began boarding up their entrances with plywood in anticipation of riots, protests, and looting ahead of the November 3 presidential election. Thanks to the traffic restrictions caused by the crane accident, shops in these areas are expected to be free from concerns about protests or looting.