In an electrifying moment, two iconic skyscrapers were struck by lightning as&nbsp;thunderstorms pounded on Manhattan in the United States.&nbsp;

The split-second moments were captured in dramatic photos as lightning bolts travelled into both the One World Trade Center and the Empire State Building.

In the unreal images, glowing white bolts were seen crackling across the dark night sky and eventually hit the tip of the antennas atop the two buildings in a zig-zag pattern.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/a-first-class-experience-us-based-airline-launches-dog-friendly-flights-724605">A first class experience: US-based airline launches dog-friendly flights</a>

Taking to X, the Empire State Building posted one photo&nbsp;of the electric current hitting the building, which was lit up in red, and added a caption that read “OUCH.”

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
One World Trade Center getting zapped by a big bolt of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/lightning?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#lightning</a> during a night storm passing through!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/storm?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#storm</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/_WTCOfficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_WTCOfficial</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NYC</a> <a href="https://t.co/7RGhGAOSEm">pic.twitter.com/7RGhGAOSEm</a>
— Ham from BK (@Ham_BklynWx) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ham_BklynWx/status/1795990748812251224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

As per the Empire State Building’s website, the antenna gets struck by lightning 25 times every year on average.

As reported by Fox Weather, a lightning bolt struck One World Trade Centre during a thunderstorm last Thursday morning. In this storm, one person had suffered an injury when lightning struck the Manhattan building, reported the outlet.

<h2>Antennas of buildings absorb the shock of lightning bolt&nbsp;</h2>

The antennas or lightning rods of the buildings have been designed to absorb the shock of a lightning bolt to ensure that the people inside the building are safe from electrocution.

Watch:&nbsp;Gigantic sunspot wide enough to fill 15 worlds becomes visible

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gigantic-sunspot-wide-enough-to-fill-15-worlds-becomes-visible-trending-on-wion-720156/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In contradiction to popular belief, lightning strikes are not attracted by the rods. The rods have been placed to protect the buildings.

The lightning will often hit the tallest thing such as skyscrapers. The rain and thunderstorm on Wednesday (May 29) came after a day of sunshine and warm temperatures.

The National Weather Service had predicted half an inch of rainfall in the city.

(With inputs from agencies)

In an electrifying moment, two iconic skyscrapers were struck by lightning as thunderstorms pounded on Manhattan in the United States. The split-second moments were captured in dramatic photos as lightning bolts travelled into both the One World Trade Center and the Empire State Building.

In an electrifying moment, two iconic skyscrapers were struck by lightning as thunderstorms pounded on Manhattan in the United States. The split-second moments were captured in dramatic photos as lightning bolts travelled into both the One World Trade Center and the Empire State Building. In the unreal images, glowing white bolts were seen crackling across the dark night sky and eventually hit the tip of the antennas atop the two buildings in a zig-zag pattern. Also Read: A first class experience: US-based airline launches dog-friendly flights Taking to X, the Empire State Building posted one photo of the electric current hitting the building, which was lit up in red, and added a caption that read “OUCH.” One World Trade Center getting zapped by a big bolt of #lightning during a night storm passing through!! #storm @_WTCOfficial #NYC pic.twitter.com/7RGhGAOSEm — Ham from BK (@Ham_BklynWx) May 30, 2024 × As per the Empire State Building’s website, the antenna gets struck by lightning 25 times every year on average. As reported by Fox Weather, a lightning bolt struck One World Trade Centre during a thunderstorm last Thursday morning. In this storm, one person had suffered an injury when lightning struck the Manhattan building, reported the outlet. Antennas of buildings absorb the shock of lightning bolt The antennas or lightning rods of the buildings have been designed to absorb the shock of a lightning bolt to ensure that the people inside the building are safe from electrocution. Watch: Gigantic sunspot wide enough to fill 15 worlds becomes visible In contradiction to popular belief, lightning strikes are not attracted by the rods. The rods have been placed to protect the buildings. The lightning will often hit the tallest thing such as skyscrapers. The rain and thunderstorm on Wednesday (May 29) came after a day of sunshine and warm temperatures. The National Weather Service had predicted half an inch of rainfall in the city. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Lightning strikes iconic skyscrapers in US. Here's what happens

The futuristic Saudi megacity Neom will feature two skyscrapers extending across a swathe of desert and mountain terrain. Will this be the future of cities? Ghadi Francis tells you on The West Asia Post.

The West Asia Post: Saudi Arabia plans $1 trillion mirrored skyscraper in Neom

The United Arab Emirates government has told some of its biggest business families that it plans to remove their monopolies on the sale of imported goods, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.

The government did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment but state news agency WAM quoted a Ministry of Economy statement saying a draft law on commercial agencies was still in its legislative cycle and "it is still too early to give details".

The cabinet referred the draft to the Federal National Council for discussion and possibly more amendments, it added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uae-government-plans-to-scrap-some-family-business-monopolies-440270">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uae-government-plans-to-scrap-some-family-business-monopolies-440270/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The FT report said the proposed legislation would end the automatic renewal of existing commercial agency agreements in the Gulf state, giving foreign firms the opportunity to distribute their own goods or change their local agents.

"It no longer makes sense for individual families to have such power and preferential access to easy wealth," the report quoted an Emirati official as saying. "We have to modernise our economy."

The proposed law must be approved by the Emirati leadership and the timing for that remains uncertain, the report added.

Over the past year the UAE, a growing economic rival of Saudi Arabia, has taken measures to make its economy more attractive to foreign investors and talent.

Earlier this year, UAE said foreigners opening a company will no longer need an Emirati shareholder or agent, after it made changes to UAE company law.

The United Arab Emirates government has told some of its biggest business families that it plans to remove their monopolies on the sale of imported goods, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.

The United Arab Emirates government has told some of its biggest business families that it plans to remove their monopolies on the sale of imported goods, the Financial Times reported on Sunday. The government did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment but state news agency WAM quoted a Ministry of Economy statement saying a draft law on commercial agencies was still in its legislative cycle and "it is still too early to give details". The cabinet referred the draft to the Federal National Council for discussion and possibly more amendments, it added. WATCH | The FT report said the proposed legislation would end the automatic renewal of existing commercial agency agreements in the Gulf state, giving foreign firms the opportunity to distribute their own goods or change their local agents. "It no longer makes sense for individual families to have such power and preferential access to easy wealth," the report quoted an Emirati official as saying. "We have to modernise our economy." The proposed law must be approved by the Emirati leadership and the timing for that remains uncertain, the report added. Over the past year the UAE, a growing economic rival of Saudi Arabia, has taken measures to make its economy more attractive to foreign investors and talent. Earlier this year, UAE said foreigners opening a company will no longer need an Emirati shareholder or agent, after it made changes to UAE company law.

UAE plans to scrap monopolies of some big merchant families: Report

The government of China is cracking down on wasteful vanity projects by limiting the construction of extremely tall skyscrapers by local governments in smaller cities.

These measures go beyond an existing ban on buildings of more than 500 metres.

Now, as per the Chinese Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development announcement cities will need special approvals to build skyscrapers taller than the prescribed limits.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-bans-construction-of-buildings-taller-than-1640-feet-after-concerns-over-quality-396948">China bans construction of buildings taller than 1,640 feet after concerns over quality</a>

In cities with less than 3 million people, skyscrapers cannot be taller than 150 metres (492.13 ft), and in cities with populations larger than that, skyscrapers cannot be higher than 250 metres.

According to the ministry, officials who approve such projects in violation of the new rule "will be held accountable for life", which means they will be liable for any follow-up punishment laid down in relation to the breach of rules.

While China acknowledges that high-rise buildings encourage more efficient use of land resources, the country is increasingly concerned that local officials are blindly pursuing construction with little regard for safety and practicality.

Earlier this year, a 356-metre, 71-storey tower in downtown Shenzhen repeatedly shook, raising concerns about safety. An investigation determined that the cause was the 50-metre mast on top of the building that moved in the wind.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-skyscraper-wobbles-spreads-panic-in-downtown-shenzhen-385860">China skyscraper wobbles, spreads panic in downtown Shenzhen</a>

In September, the building in Shenzhen reopened after the mast was removed. Shortly after this incident, China banned the construction of buildings over 500 meters in July. 
&nbsp; 
The ministry has also instructed local governments to conduct inspections of existing supertall buildings and check their foundation, structure, power, water, and gas supplies, the materials used, their resistance to earthquakes, and fire protection.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: China bans tallest skyscrapers

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-china-bans-tallest-skyscrapers-396609/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Furthermore, cities would now have to strictly control the building of high-rise buildings in ecologically sensitive areas and on urban ventilation corridors.

China has some of the world's tallest buildings, including the Shanghai Tower, which stands at 632 meters and the Ping An Finance Center in Shenzhen which is 599.1 meters tall.

The government of China is cracking down on wasteful vanity projects by limiting the construction of extremely tall skyscrapers by local governments in smaller cities.

The government of China is cracking down on wasteful vanity projects by limiting the construction of extremely tall skyscrapers by local governments in smaller cities. These measures go beyond an existing ban on buildings of more than 500 metres. Now, as per the Chinese Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development announcement cities will need special approvals to build skyscrapers taller than the prescribed limits. Also read | China bans construction of buildings taller than 1,640 feet after concerns over quality In cities with less than 3 million people, skyscrapers cannot be taller than 150 metres (492.13 ft), and in cities with populations larger than that, skyscrapers cannot be higher than 250 metres. According to the ministry, officials who approve such projects in violation of the new rule "will be held accountable for life", which means they will be liable for any follow-up punishment laid down in relation to the breach of rules. While China acknowledges that high-rise buildings encourage more efficient use of land resources, the country is increasingly concerned that local officials are blindly pursuing construction with little regard for safety and practicality. Earlier this year, a 356-metre, 71-storey tower in downtown Shenzhen repeatedly shook, raising concerns about safety. An investigation determined that the cause was the 50-metre mast on top of the building that moved in the wind. Also read | China skyscraper wobbles, spreads panic in downtown Shenzhen In September, the building in Shenzhen reopened after the mast was removed. Shortly after this incident, China banned the construction of buildings over 500 meters in July. The ministry has also instructed local governments to conduct inspections of existing supertall buildings and check their foundation, structure, power, water, and gas supplies, the materials used, their resistance to earthquakes, and fire protection. Watch | Gravitas: China bans tallest skyscrapers Furthermore, cities would now have to strictly control the building of high-rise buildings in ecologically sensitive areas and on urban ventilation corridors. China has some of the world's tallest buildings, including the Shanghai Tower, which stands at 632 meters and the Ping An Finance Center in Shenzhen which is 599.1 meters tall.

China cracks down on skyscraper 'vanity' projects, limits construction in smaller cities

Lai Chi-wai became the first person to climb over 250 metres of a skyscraper in a wheelchair in the city of Hong Kong.

The 37-year-old reportedly took up the painstaking task to raise money for spinal cord patients. Reuters reported that Chi-wai pulled himself up for over 10 hours to reach the height.

The climber was left paralysed waist down 10 years ago after a car accident. Even though he was not able to make it to the top of Nina Tower in Kowloon peninsula, which is 300 metres, he almost reached the top.

<img alt="Lai Chi-wai, a paraplegic climber, attempts to climb the 320-metre tall Nina Tower using only his upper body strength, in Hong Kong, China January 16, 2021. On this attempt, Lai completed 250-meters (75/f), as he faced strong winds. Picture taken January 16, 2021" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f314ddfe-1a9b-4f82-8db3-5c85c8d024fb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/1_44.jpg" />

In addition, Chi-wai was able to gather $670,639 in donations.

Lai told Reuters that he was “quite scared”. "Climbing up a mountain, I can hold onto rocks or little holes, but with glass, all I can really rely on is the rope that I'm hanging off”, he said.

Before 2011, Lai was ranked Asia champion for rock climbing four times. He also ranked eighth globally for rock climbing.

<img alt="Lai Chi-wai, a paraplegic climber, attempts to climb the 320-metre tall Nina Tower using only his upper body strength, in Hong Kong, China January 16, 2021. On this attempt, Lai completed 250-meters (75/f), as he faced strong winds. Picture taken January 16, 2021" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f81a6122-d532-4f08-84d6-2b1ce9c92eec" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2_30.jpg" />

After the accident, Lai took up climbing by attaching his wheelchair to a pulley system.

Just five years ago, he was able to summit the 495-metre high Lion Rock mountain, which is a local cultural symbol of Hong Kong’s strength.

<img alt="Lai Chi-wai, a paraplegic climber, attempts to climb the 320-metre tall Nina Tower using only his upper body strength, in Hong Kong, China January 16, 2021. On this attempt, Lai completed 250-meters (75/f), as he faced strong winds. Picture taken January 16, 2021" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="18161b62-bbc7-49eb-85c4-cb8b575fbd1b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/4_7.jpg" />

"Apart from just living, I wondered what drives me? So I began to chase that, knowing that there was a possibility I could climb mountains, even in a&nbsp;wheelchair," Lai said.

"In a way, I forgot that I was a disabled person, I could still dream and I could still do what I liked doing”, he said.

Lai shed light on the struggles of people with physical disabilities.

<img alt="Lai Chi-wai, a paraplegic climber, attempts to climb the 320-metre tall Nina Tower using only his upper body strength, in Hong Kong, China January 16, 2021. On this attempt, Lai completed 250-meters (75/f), as he faced strong winds. Picture taken January 16, 2021" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8140ea60-8f12-4226-bd9b-0c43b2e5418d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/3_27.jpg" />

"Some people don't understand the difficulties of disabled people, some people think that we are always weak, we need help, we need assistance, we need people's pity," Lai said.

"But, I want to tell everyone, it doesn't have to be like that. If a disabled person can shine, they can at the same time bring about opportunity, hope, bring about light, they don't have to be viewed as weak”, he added.

Lai Chi-wai became the first person to climb over 250 metres of a skyscraper in a wheelchair in the city of Hong Kong. The 37-year-old reportedly took up the painstaking task to raise money for spinal cord patients.

Lai Chi-wai became the first person to climb over 250 metres of a skyscraper in a wheelchair in the city of Hong Kong. The 37-year-old reportedly took up the painstaking task to raise money for spinal cord patients. Reuters reported that Chi-wai pulled himself up for over 10 hours to reach the height. The climber was left paralysed waist down 10 years ago after a car accident. Even though he was not able to make it to the top of Nina Tower in Kowloon peninsula, which is 300 metres, he almost reached the top. In addition, Chi-wai was able to gather $670,639 in donations. Lai told Reuters that he was “quite scared”. "Climbing up a mountain, I can hold onto rocks or little holes, but with glass, all I can really rely on is the rope that I'm hanging off”, he said. Before 2011, Lai was ranked Asia champion for rock climbing four times. He also ranked eighth globally for rock climbing. After the accident, Lai took up climbing by attaching his wheelchair to a pulley system. Just five years ago, he was able to summit the 495-metre high Lion Rock mountain, which is a local cultural symbol of Hong Kong’s strength. "Apart from just living, I wondered what drives me? So I began to chase that, knowing that there was a possibility I could climb mountains, even in a wheelchair," Lai said. "In a way, I forgot that I was a disabled person, I could still dream and I could still do what I liked doing”, he said. Lai shed light on the struggles of people with physical disabilities. "Some people don't understand the difficulties of disabled people, some people think that we are always weak, we need help, we need assistance, we need people's pity," Lai said. "But, I want to tell everyone, it doesn't have to be like that. If a disabled person can shine, they can at the same time bring about opportunity, hope, bring about light, they don't have to be viewed as weak”, he added.

In pics: Man in wheelchair climbs up Hong Kong skyscraper for charity

skyscrapers

Skyscrapers, News on Skyscrapers, stories on Skyscrapers, articles on Skyscrapers, Skyscrapers stories at Wion, Skyscrapers news, Skyscrapers latest news