Current:Home > NewsBrooklyn synagogue tunnel: Emergency work order issued for buildings around Chabad center-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Brooklyn synagogue tunnel: Emergency work order issued for buildings around Chabad center
View Date:2024-12-23 18:30:57
The New York Department of Buildings issued an emergency work order to stabilize buildings near the Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, after the discovery of a tunnel running under the historic synagogue led to a clash with police and multiple arrests this week.
The department's investigation, which began Tuesday morning, uncovered a 5-foot-high, 8-foot-wide tunnel spanning 60 feet and connecting four neighboring buildings on the ground level, according to a statement emailed to USA TODAY. Investigators found tools, debris and dirt left by workers inside the tunnel.
The owners of two of the single story buildings were hit with two violations for work without a permit for constructing the tunnel without the department's approval.
"As a result of this extensive investigation, we have issued emergency work orders to stabilize the buildings above the tunnel, vacate orders in parts of the buildings to ensure occupant safety, and enforcement actions against the property owners for the illegal work," Department of Buildings press secretary Andrew Rudansky said.
The Department ordered a full evacuation of a two-story brick building behind the center that it deemed a fire hazard because of the removal of fire-rated walls from the building's cellar and first floor during the illegal construction of the tunnel.
Investigators determined that the tunnel had also undermined two single-story buildings, causing "structural stability issues." A partial vacate order was issued to both buildings.
The order directed the buildings' owners to hire a professional engineer to stabilize the "inadequate, rudimentary shoring" of the tunnel and seal off several openings. The owners told investigators they had already enlisted an architect, engineer, and contractor to start work on the tunnel.
Motti Seligson, a spokesperson for the Chabad center, did not return a request from USA TODAY for comment.
More:IDF releases footage of tunnel in Gaza where they say Israeli hostages were held
Nine men arrested after protest against closing tunnel
Nine men were taken into custody by NYPD officers on Monday after a tousle between police and a group of young Hasidic students protesting orders to close the tunnel.
The men were charged with criminal mischief and reckless endangerment, among other charges.
Videos posted to X, formerly Twitter, showed chaotic scenes at the synagogue as protesters shoved furniture and officers sprayed a repellant at the crowd.
The synagogue is the central headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, a Hasidic Judaism movement dating back 250 years with more than 4,000 centers in more than 50 countries, according to the movement's website.
Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, the movement's chairman, blamed a group of "young agitators who damaged the synagogue" for the tunnel's construction in a statement posted to Facebook.
"These odious actions will be investigated, and the sanctity of the synagogue will be restored," Krinsky wrote, thanking the NYPD for their "professionalism and sensitivity."
Supporters told The Associated Press that the tunnel's creators believed they were following a plan to expand the building laid out by Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who led the Chabad movement after the Holocaust for more than 40 years.
Contributing: Associated Press
Cybele Mayes-Osterman is a breaking news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her on email at [email protected]. Follow her on X @CybeleMO.
veryGood! (7)
Related
- Research reveals China has built prototype nuclear reactor to power aircraft carrier
- Greece just legalized same-sex marriage. Will other Orthodox countries join them any time soon?
- Massachusetts man is found guilty of murder in the deaths of a police officer and elderly widow
- Women's college basketball player sets NCAA single-game record with 44 rebounds
- Georgia House Republicans stick with leadership team for the next two years
- Prosecutors drop domestic violence charge against Boston Bruins’ Milan Lucic
- How the Navy came to protect cargo ships
- Blogger Laura Merritt Walker Shares Her 3-Year-Old Son Died After Tragic Accident
- Lady Gaga Joins Wednesday Season 2 With Jenna Ortega, So Prepare to Have a Monster Ball
- Record Store Day 2024 features exclusive vinyl from David Bowie, Ringo Starr, U2, more
Ranking
- Deion Sanders says he would prevent Shedeur Sanders from going to wrong team in NFL draft
- Protests, poisoning and prison: The life and death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny
- Biden to visit East Palestine, Ohio, today, just over one year after train derailment
- Ex-FBI official sentenced to over 2 years in prison for concealing payment from Albanian businessman
- As Northeast wildfires keep igniting, is there a drought-buster in sight?
- Biden to visit East Palestine, Ohio, today, just over one year after train derailment
- Survivors of recent mass shootings revive calls for federal assault weapons ban, 20 years later
- Nkechi Diallo, Formerly Known as Rachel Dolezal, Speaks Out After Losing Job Over OnlyFans Account
Recommendation
-
Judge extends the time to indict the driver accused of killing Johnny Gaudreau and his brother
-
Brian Laundrie's parents detail 'frantic' conversations with son: 'Gabby's gone, please call a lawyer'
-
Alexei Navalny, jailed opposition leader and Putin’s fiercest foe, has died, Russian officials say
-
White House confirms intelligence showing Russia developing anti-satellite capability
-
Some women are stockpiling Plan B and abortion pills. Here's what experts have to say.
-
NBA All-Star break power rankings with Finals predictions from Shaq, Barkley and Kenny Smith
-
Sora is ChatGPT maker OpenAI’s new text-to-video generator. Here’s what we know about the new tool
-
Tom Selleck refuses to see the end for 'Blue Bloods' in final Season 14: 'I'm not done'