The pronounced wobbling of a 71-storey skyscraper in the southeastern Chinese city of Shenzhen that caused a panicked stampede in the streets below in May was caused by wind hitting the tower’s masts, a state-convened group of experts has concluded.
‘Vortex induced resonance’ originating from the ‘aged’ masts made the building shake, but left it secure and stable, the experts said, reports Global Times.
![](https://www.globalconstructionreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/x160721_Wobbly_tower_pic_2.pagespeed.ic_.nd-7DE7DHv.jpg)
The SEG Plaza, Shenzhen, photographed in February 2021 (Charlie fong/CC BY-SA 4.0)
The 21-year-old SEG Plaza tower, with a roof height of 292m, started wobbling at around 1.50pm local time on 18 May, prompting its evacuation and panic among shoppers in the streets below.
- See panic at street level as skyscraper shakes:
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Data showed that the tower had resonated 21 times between 18-20 May.
The experts recommended dismantling the old masts and installing new ones in a different arrangement, said Global Times.

The tower has been sealed off since the incident.
As well as offices, the building housed a vast, multi-level consumer electronics market.
Top image: The SEG Plaza, Shenzhen (Detail from a photograph by Charlie fong/CC BY-SA 4.0)
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