NEW YORK (AFP) - Two window washers were rescued at the new World Trade Center on Wednesday after the cable secured to their platform snapped and left them dangling 69 floors up for nearly two hours.
Rescuers cut a window to reach the workers who clung to a platform suspended at a precarious angle at the south side of the building, a frightening 240m above ground at Tower 1 of the complex in lower Manhattan.
Some 100 firefighters were involved in the complex rescue operation at the building, which at more than 540m is the tallest in the United States.
Ambulances, fire trucks and helicopters were dispatched to the scene and the area around the building in downtown New York City was cordoned off.
The window washers were wearing safety harnesses and therefore were not in grave danger, authorities said, while forecasters reported light winds of 11kmh.
The building, which stands on the ground of the former World Trade Center that was attacked on Sept 11, 2001, re-opened only last week. There are already 175 Conde Nast employees working in the building.
The 104-storey edifice was designed by architect David Childs and has already become a New York landmark, with its clean lines, its spire top and glass and mirror facade.
