On July 26, 2023, a tower crane collapsed at a construction site in Manhattan, injuring 12 people. The collapse was likely caused by leaked hydraulic fluid igniting on a hot plate near the engine, causing the cable to snap and the boom to fall. The New York City Department of Buildings is investigating the incident and has ordered work to stop at the site. Both buildings affected by the collapse appear structurally sound. The incident seems accidental, and there is no suspected criminality. The general contractor, Monadnock Construction Inc., is cooperating with the investigation. New York Crane & Equipment Corp., the crane owner, has been involved in previous construction accidents.
