Sandy damages United Nations headquarters

Friday, November 02, 2012

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) — The UN headquarters suffered major damage from superstorm Sandy, officials said yesterday as the New York landmark opened for the first time since the devastating hurricane hit the city.

The storm caused a small fire and severe flooding in the basement floors of the building which is currently undergoing a renovation costing more than US$2 billion, said Yukio Takasu, assistant secretary general for management.

“This extreme weather event caused unprecedented damage on UN premises from Monday to Tuesday,” Takasu told a UN General Assembly meeting.

The hurricane winds also tore off a plastic sheet protecting the domed roof of the General Assembly, which will need repairs because of serious leaks.

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