Video: watson/Lucas Zollinger
June 26, 2026, 5:06 p.mJune 26, 2026, 5:13 p.m
In China’s capital Beijing, a small plane apparently crashed into the city’s tallest building.
As footage from various perspectives on the Internet showed, wreckage of the plane flew from the sky, while a visible hole was visible in the facade of the Citic Tower – also known as China Zu.
It was initially not known how the incident occurred on Friday evening (local time). It also remained unclear whether there were any possible fatalities or injuries. There were initially no reports to be found in China’s state media. There was also no official notification from the authorities. Online, censors blocked and deleted posts on China’s social media about the incident.
Police block entrances to skyscrapers
In some photos, the registration number B-12PP could be seen on the aircraft wreckage. Flight data available online indicated a Chinese-made Sunward SA 60L Aurora light sport aircraft.
The Hong Kong “South China Morning Post” quoted an eyewitness who said she was evacuated from the building shortly before 6 p.m. (local time). Numerous onlookers gathered around the skyscraper on site.
Dozens of police, some armed, cordoned off streets in the surrounding streets. The fire department was standing in front of the entrance to the tower with numerous fire engines. Journalists were asked by officials not to take photographs and asked to leave the area.
Strict rules for flights via Beijing
There is usually a no-fly zone over Beijing. The authorities monitor extremely closely and recently tightened the regulations for flying drones and owning them. A permit is required for flights.
At almost 530 meters, the China Zun is the tallest building in Beijing and one of the tallest in the world. It is one of the symbols of the Chinese capital and stands next to the headquarters of the Chinese state television CCTV, known for its square architecture. (sda/dpa)
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