A small aircraft appeared to smash into Beijing’s tallest skyscraper Friday afternoon, sending debris raining down in a stunning scene that unfolded in one of the most heavily guarded cities on Earth.
The aircraft reportedly struck the 109-story CITIC Tower, also known as China Zun, a gleaming landmark that dominates the skyline of China’s capital.
Dramatic footage posted on social media showed debris falling from the massive tower as stunned witnesses gathered below. Other images appeared to show part of the aircraft’s tail section on the ground, along with the shattered window of a taxi nearby.
A CNN journalist at the scene saw people evacuated from the skyscraper standing in the streets near the entrance as firetrucks, police cars and an ambulance arrived.
Authorities had not immediately released official details about the frightening incident.
CNN reported that a person who answered the phone at the relevant district branch of the Beijing Public Security Bureau said they were “not familiar with the situation” and referred the outlet to another number. That call reportedly went unanswered.
CNN also reached out to the Beijing Municipality Government and a number listed for the aircraft’s owner.
Images circulating online appeared to show the plane’s registration code, which seemed to link it to a domestically manufactured light sport aircraft, the Sunward SA 60L Aurora.
The aircraft was reportedly owned by a local general aviation company that offers services such as pilot training, personal recreational flights and aerial photography.
Unverified flight data posted online from Flightradar24 appeared to show the aircraft had taken a seriously abnormal path before the incident.
The crash is especially shocking because Beijing has some of the tightest airspace controls in the world.
Since May 1, the city has also been under sweeping restrictions aimed at keeping drones out of the capital. Residents are not allowed to buy, rent or fly drones within Beijing’s sprawling jurisdiction without government approval.
It remains unclear what caused the aircraft to veer toward the skyscraper, whether anyone was injured, or how much damage was done to the building.
The incident left many wondering how a small aircraft could end up colliding with such a high-profile tower in the heart of Beijing.
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