A major emergency operation unfolded in Manchester city centre on Wednesday afternoon after a partial building collapse prompted the evacuation of hundreds of people and the closure of key transport routes.
Emergency services rushed to the scene near Piccadilly Gardens following reports of structural failure in a city centre building. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as police and fire crews established a large cordon around the affected area.
Large-Scale Evacuation Underway
Authorities have implemented widespread safety measures, evacuating multiple buildings in the immediate vicinity. The scale of the operation suggests significant concerns about potential further structural compromises.
Major transport arteries including Lever Street and parts of Piccadilly have been completely sealed off, causing substantial disruption to evening commuters and city centre traffic.
Emergency Services on High Alert
Greater Manchester Police confirmed they were responding to a "major incident" and urged the public to avoid the area entirely. A spokesperson stated: "We are dealing with a significant structural incident and public safety remains our absolute priority."
Fire crews and structural engineers are conducting urgent assessments to determine the stability of the affected building and surrounding structures. The exact cause of the collapse remains under investigation.
City Centre in Lockdown
The incident has created a lockdown effect in one of Manchester's busiest districts, with businesses forced to close and public transport routes severely affected. Pedestrians have been redirected away from the danger zone as emergency operations continue.
Local authorities have established emergency protocols and are coordinating with building owners to ensure all occupants have been safely accounted for. No injuries have been reported at this stage, though the situation remains fluid.
Structural safety experts have been called to the scene to assess the damage and coordinate any necessary demolition or reinforcement work. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing ageing urban infrastructure in UK city centres.
