Glass Skydeck on 103rd floor of Chicago's Willis Tower CRACKS under terrified visitors' feet for the second time in just five years

  • Glass coating on the Skydeck of Chicago's Willis Tower cracked Monday evening
  • A mother and her two children were reportedly standing on the glass at the time 
  • Willis Tower says there were no injuries and insists no one was in danger as the glass coating merely forms part of a protective layer on the Skydeck
  • The same ledge window cracked back in May 2014 before it was swiftly replaced
  • Formerly known as Sears Tower, Willis Tower is the second-tallest building in the United States and more than a million people visit its Skydeck every year

By Andrew Court For Dailymail.com

Published: | Updated:

Tourists at Chicago's Willis Tower were left terrified Monday evening, when glass coating cracked beneath visitors' feet on the building's Skydeck on the 103rd floor.

One witness described hearing a 'boom', before noticing the glass had 'splintered into thousands of pieces', according to CBS 2. 

A mother and her two children were reportedly standing on the deck at the time. 

The trio were taking in the views from Willis Tower, which, at 1,451 feet, is the tallest building in the Chicago and the second-tallest in the United States.  


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Glass coating on the Skydeck of Chicago's Willis Tower cracked on Monday evening, leaving tourists terrified

Glass coating on the Skydeck of Chicago's Willis Tower cracked on Monday evening, leaving tourists terrified

The Skydeck boasts protruding glass ledges that allow tourists to look directly down at the streets below (file image)

The Skydeck boasts protruding glass ledges that allow tourists to look directly down at the streets below (file image)

The Skydeck boasts protruding glass ledges that allow tourists to look directly down at the streets below. 

No one was injured in the incident, and a spokesperson for the Tower said no visitors were ever in danger as the glass is part of a protective layer of coating over the top of the Skydeck. 

However, an eyewitness say the incident was enough to keep them indoors. 

Visitor Karly Pintado told CBS 2: 'I’m scared of heights in general so when I saw that happen, I was like "Nope, not going on."'

Pintado's husband, Jesus, filmed the commotion following the event, with many tourists seen looking on in shock at the shattered glass. 

Pintado's husband, Jesus, filmed the commotion following the event, with many tourists seen looking on in shock at the shattered glass

Pintado's husband, Jesus, filmed the commotion following the event, with many tourists seen looking on in shock at the shattered glass

Back in May 2014, a protective layer of glass shattered on the same ledge window of the Skydeck

Back in May 2014, a protective layer of glass shattered on the same ledge window of the Skydeck

It's not the first time that protective glass on the Skydeck has cracked while the attraction was open for business. 

Back in May 2014, a protective layer of glass shattered on the same ledge window.  

However, one public relations expert told The Atlantic at the time: 'The [glass] coating does not affect the structural integrity of The Ledge in any way. Occasionally, the coating will crack, as it is designed to in order to protect the surface of the glass.'

Following Monday's incident, the glass panel was quickly replaced, and the Skydeck at Willis Tower remains open. 

The skyscraper - formerly known as Sears Tower - was completed in 1973 when it surpassed the World Trade Center as the tallest building in the world, a title held for almost 25 years. 

The Skydeck first opened in 1974 and quickly became a tourist attraction. More than one million people visit each year. 

The Skydeck first opened in 1974 and quickly became a tourist attraction. More than one million people visit each year (file image)

The Skydeck first opened in 1974 and quickly became a tourist attraction. More than one million people visit each year (file image)

The skyscraper - formerly known as Sears Tower - was completed in 1973 when it surpassed the World Trade Center as the tallest building in the world, a title held for almost 25 years

The skyscraper - formerly known as Sears Tower - was completed in 1973 when it surpassed the World Trade Center as the tallest building in the world, a title held for almost 25 years

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