Small Plane Crashes Into Beijing’s Tallest Building
A small aircraft crashed into Beijing's tallest skyscraper, the 109-story CITIC Tower, on Friday, leaving visible damage and sending debris falling onto streets below.
The plane struck the 109-story CITIC Tower, located in Beijing’s central business district, according to Washington Examiner. The collision left a visible gash in the side of the building several floors down from the top of the massive structure, which is also known as China Zun.
A significant police presence quickly assembled around the tower and in the surrounding streets following the incident. Images from the Associated Press captured the damage to the building’s exterior.
Video footage circulating on social media platforms, shot by witnesses on the ground, shows aircraft debris falling from the collision site as people scramble to escape the area. Major outlets including the New York Times have verified the authenticity of the footage.
One bystander who witnessed the collision described the impact to Reuters as extraordinarily loud, saying it was louder than fireworks.
The CITIC Tower stands over 1,760 feet tall and was completed in 2018, making it the tallest building in the Chinese capital.
Chinese government officials and local emergency response authorities have not yet released an official statement regarding the collision or provided details about potential casualties or the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The incident remains under investigation as authorities work to determine what caused the aircraft to strike one of Beijing’s most prominent landmarks.
With information from Washington Examiner
