CNN reports that Beijing’s 108-story CITIC Tower (also known as ‘China Zun’) was struck by a small plane on the afternoon of the 26th. According to videos circulating online, a small aircraft crashed onto the street, with the fuselage breaking apart.
CNN cited footage shared on social media, shot in Beijing, showing debris falling from CITIC Tower at the time of the incident. Visible on the ground are the remains of the plane’s tail and a taxi with its windows shattered.
Online footage shows the aircraft’s registration number, indicating it appears to be a Chinese-made Aurora SA60L light sport aircraft, owned by a local general aviation company.
A post on social media stated that the plane was operated by a local company that provides private pilot training, aerial sightseeing, and aircraft management services.
After the incident, employees quickly evacuated the building, exclaiming "the plane crashed down." Other videos showed fire trucks arriving on site for rescue efforts.
Beijing has implemented new regulations requiring all outdoor flight activities to be pre-approved starting May 1.
According to BBC, the officially named CITIC Tower is located in the Central Business District (CBD) of Beijing's Chaoyang District. Its architectural design was inspired by ancient Chinese bronze ritual vessels, which is why it is commonly known as ‘China Zun’. It is the headquarters of the large state-owned CITIC Group. Multiple foreign and Hong Kong SAR media outlets reported the incident soon after it happened, but Chinese domestic media have remained silent so far.