On Tuesday, residents, workers, and tourists evacuated the area around a buckled building in Midtown and are now uncertain about when they can safely return to what has become a “frozen zone.” Nine buildings were cleared out around 8 a.m. due to critical issues at the 37-story former Pfizer headquarters on East 42nd Street. City officials haven’t provided a timeline for when people can return.
Employees at the Westin Hotel, located at 212 East 42nd Street, used loudspeakers to urge guests to evacuate. Among those affected were three tourists from North Carolina, who were scheduled to stay four days before heading on a cruise. Now, they find themselves without accommodations.
Nika Whitsett, one of the tourists, shared, “I saw the news update on Twitter and immediately thought, ‘Oh, that’s where we’re going!'” In an email to guests, the hotel communicated that the evacuation order would remain in place for the foreseeable future, but allowed guests to return briefly to collect their belongings.
One evacuee, a 22-year-old who had only moved into her apartment two days prior, recounted her panic, saying, “I heard sirens and a police megaphone urging us to leave.” She managed to grab some essentials but was told by emergency services that it might take as long as two weeks before she could return. “We don’t even have a bed yet,” she reflected.
Dr. Stephen Mitra, returning from his shift at a Bronx clinic, described his confusion upon discovering the evacuation. “I thought I’d come home to rest, but now I’m stuck,” he explained. He added that finding a hotel would likely be his only option as he doesn’t want to wait indefinitely.
Marcy Muriungi, visiting from Texas, expressed similar sentiments. She felt unprepared as she had only grabbed her wallet during the evacuation. “It’s hard to think about everything I left behind,” she said, mentioning her medications were still in her apartment.
City officials have been addressing the public’s concerns about the situation. Mayor Zoran Mamdani reported that experts have assessed the building and are working on temporary measures to stabilize it. “This emergency shoring is crucial for safety,” he noted, though evacuees are still feeling anxious and confused about their circumstances.
Residents have voiced their frustrations about the lack of clarity, with many unsure where to go next. Carlos Mendez, a business traveler from São Paulo, noted the challenge of finding nearby hotels that weren’t either booked or overpriced. “It’s a bit maddening because I understand the need for safety, but I’m left here without many answers or a place to sleep,” he said.
Personnel from the Israeli consulate also evacuated without incident, ensuring the safety of all staff. The Consul General has emphasized a desire to return operations to normal as soon as possible.
