A light aircraft crashed into Beijing's tallest building on Friday, killing the pilot and injuring 13 people who were not on board, the local government reported. The unusual accident occurred in the Chinese capital, where airspace is heavily restricted.
Details of the Crash
According to a statement from the Chaoyang district government posted on social media on Saturday, the crash happened at 5:55 PM (0955 GMT) on June 26. A single-engine, two-seat light sport aircraft collided with a high-rise building while flying near the East third ring road in Chaoyang. The statement confirmed that there was only one person on board, the pilot, who died. No further details about the possible cause of the crash were provided.
Injuries and Response
Thirteen people on the ground were injured in the incident and are receiving medical treatment. Authorities are investigating the crash. The exterior damage to the skyscraper appeared to be limited to a hole caused by the loss of two large glass panels. As of Saturday, the gap had been temporarily boarded up.
The Building and Location
The 528-meter-high building, known as CITIC Tower or China Zun, is located in Beijing's Central Business District, approximately 6 km (3.7 miles) from the Forbidden City, which attracts thousands of tourists daily. It is also near Zhongnanhai, a compound housing the offices of China's top political leadership.
Previous Incidents
The last aircraft crash in Beijing occurred in 2022, when a tourist helicopter crashed during a flight between the Changping and Fangshan districts, killing the two pilots on board. Pictures posted on social media in the aftermath of Friday's crash showed debris from the plane and the identifier B-12PP. Reuters could not immediately verify the images.
