Get you up to speed: Plane crashes into Beijing’s tallest skyscraper the China Zun with wreckage plummeting to the ground | News World
A small aircraft, identified as a B-12PP, crashed into Beijing’s CITIC Tower at around 6pm local time, breaking into pieces upon impact. The building suffered minor damage, with two windows smashed, while police evacuated the area and smoke was observed rising from the ground where parts of the aircraft smouldered.
Emergency services have established a perimeter around the CITIC Tower and are assessing the scene for potential casualties, though the status remains unclear. The B-12PP aircraft took off from Shifosi Airport approximately 30 minutes before the incident, deviating from its flight path before losing signal near Beijing’s East Fifth Ring Road.
Beijing authorities have initiated an investigation into the incident, with police confirming the evacuation of the CITIC Tower prior to the crash. As recovery efforts continue, the cause of the aircraft’s deviation from its flight path remains under scrutiny, and emergency services have established a perimeter around the site.
What remains unclear — It is not yet known if there are any casualties from the crash or the cause of the incident.
Plane crashes into CITIC Tower in Beijing, wreckage falls to ground
A plane has crashed into Beijing’s famous CITIC Tower skyscraper, also known as the China Zun.
The small aircraft broke into pieces, plummeting to the ground after hitting the city’s tallest building, which stands at 109-storeys.
It appears from footage on social media that the skyscraper is largely undamaged, with two windows smashed on impact.
Police arrived on the scene and evacuated the building ahead of the crash, which happened around 6pm local time.
The entire tail of the plane, identified by local outlets as a B-12PP, was found lying on the road.
Smoke could be seen rising from the ground where parts of the aircraft sat smouldering.
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The plane smashed two windows on impact (Picture: AP Photo/Han Guan Ng)
Emergency services set up a perimeter around the base of the building (Picture: REUTERS)
It’s not currently clear if there are any casualties, with the pilot reportedly flying solo. The cause of the crash is also unknown.
The plane reportedly deviated from the flight path, according to Global.hk, after taking off from Shifosi Airport half an hour earlier.
It was due to turn around and return to the airport for 5.45pm, but flight monitoring lost tracking signal around Beijing’s East Fifth Ring Road.
After this, the aircraft was unable to be reached and moments later crashed into the skyscraper.
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