A small aircraft crashed into Beijing’s tallest skyscraper on Friday evening, damaging two glass panels on the upper floors of the 528-metre CITIC Tower, also known as China Zun.
The incident occurred around 6pm local time in Beijing’s Central Business District. Witnesses told Reuters they heard a loud bang before spotting shattered glass and debris falling from the 108-storey building.
Photos and videos shared on social media appeared to show debris from a small aircraft near the skyscraper, though they were quickly removed from Chinese platforms. Police prevented bystanders from taking photographs and asked others to delete images they had captured.
Emergency crews, including fire engines and ambulances, were dispatched to the scene. Roads around the tower were closed as authorities secured the area.
The cause of the crash remains unclear. Airspace is heavily restricted in downtown Beijing, raising questions about how the aircraft entered the area. Beijing’s municipal government has not issued a statement on the incident.
CITIC Tower, completed in 2018, is the headquarters of the state-owned CITIC Group conglomerate. Its distinctive shape is inspired by the ancient Chinese zun, a ceremonial bronze wine vessel.
Source: The Associated Press
