Small Aircraft Strikes Beijing Skyscraper, Debris Falls to Street

A small aircraft struck CITIC Tower, also known as China Zun, in Beijing on Friday evening. The 528-meter, 108-storey skyscraper in the central business district sustained visible damage that included a gash on one side, broken windows and two damaged glass panels on a high floor. Debris from the aircraft, including what appeared to be its tail section, fell to the street below.

Eyewitnesses described the plane as roughly the size of a car and said it was a Chinese-manufactured light sport aircraft. The crash occurred at approximately 6 p.m. local time. Emergency crews including fire engines and ambulances converged on the site.

Dozens of police cars and several fire trucks lined nearby roads, several of which were closed after the incident. Police instructed bystanders not to photograph the scene and directed some to delete images already taken. Images and videos of the debris and damage circulated briefly on social media before being removed.

No official statement has been issued on injuries, fatalities or the cause of the crash. Beijing's municipal government did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside business hours.