Vacate orders issued to stabilize New York synagogue after tunnel discovery

Investigation by city uncovered 60ft long tunnel under historic Jewish site, extending under several buildings in vicinity

New York building officials have issued emergency work orders to stabilize a historic synagogue and its neighboring structures after an illicit underground tunnel was discovered at the sanctuary earlier this week.

An investigation by the city's department of buildings uncovered a tunnel that was 60ft-long (18.3 meters), 8ft-wide (2.4 meters) and 5ft-high (1.5 meters) located underneath the global headquarters of the Chabad Lubavitch movement, an important Jewish site. It extends under several buildings in the vicinity.