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Small aircraft reportedly hit the 528-meter skyscraper in Beijing; debris was found and emergency teams monitored the incident.
A small aircraft hit the Citic Tower, the tallest skyscraper in Beijing, China, this Friday (26). The case drew attention after reports of smoke, movement of firefighters, and fragments resembling parts of an aircraft were found near the building.
According to witness reports and information released by international agencies, Chinese authorities are monitoring the incident and investigating the circumstances that led the aircraft to the 528-meter-high structure.
Impact on Citic Tower mobilizes firefighters and authorities in Beijing
Initially, videos recorded from nearby buildings showed fire trucks spraying water against large columns of smoke coming from the Citic Tower.
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A 21-year-old woman was carried in the arms to the platform and launched from about 40 meters in a bungee jump in Limeira while a rope appeared coiled on the ground behind the group; witnesses were shouting something that no one around managed to stop in time.
Additionally, the building, also known as China Zun, is located in Beijing’s financial district, one of the most important regions of the Chinese capital.
According to images recorded after the incident, a fragment resembling a small aircraft was found at the base of the building.
Meanwhile, journalists from the AFP agency identified destroyed windows on one of the upper floors of the tower, indicating possible damage after the impact.
Additionally, police, ambulances, and emergency teams remained on site, while the area was monitored by the authorities.
Witnesses report debris and evacuation of building employees
According to reports obtained by AFP, people near the Citic Tower claimed to have seen objects that appeared to belong to an aircraft.
“I don’t know why this plane came to fly here. It’s really very strange,” declared a witness who preferred not to be identified.
Additionally, a man who claimed to work at the Citic Tower reported that he found debris scattered as he left the building.
According to him, the fragments found appeared to be parts of a small aircraft.
Meanwhile, an occupant of the building stated that employees were instructed to leave the premises using the stairs.
Thus, elevators were not used during the evacuation.
“I ran down dozens of floors,” said the employee.
Incident draws attention due to Beijing’s airspace restrictions
As of the time of the first reports, Chinese authorities had not officially disclosed the causes of the incident.
Nevertheless, the case drew attention because Beijing has strict rules for air circulation within the city, especially involving small equipment and aircraft.
Furthermore, a possible collision involving an aircraft and the Citic Tower, an architectural symbol of the Chinese capital, is considered an unusual occurrence.
According to information released this Friday (26), images and publications related to the episode were quickly removed from the Chinese internet.
Additionally, a student interviewed by AFP stated that content about the case disappeared shortly after being published.
Citic Tower is the tallest building in Beijing and houses thousands of employees
The Citic Tower, located in Beijing’s financial center, is considered the tallest building in the city.
The skyscraper stands at 528 meters tall and has a capacity for approximately 12,000 employees.
Additionally, the construction is close to strategic areas of the Chinese capital, including the region where the headquarters of the Chinese state television is located.
Finally, the incident occurs during a period of increased control over Beijing’s airspace.
In April, Chinese authorities banned the sale of drones in the city and began requiring prior authorization for certain flights over the capital.
