Horror as plane crashes into Beijing CITIC Tower before plummeting to the ground | World | News

A small plane crashed into one of China’s tallest buildings before falling to the ground. The aircraft reportedly struck the 109-storey CITIC Tower, also known as China Zun, in Beijing’s Central Business District (CBD) in Chaoyang District at around 6pm local time, triggering a major evacuation.

Standing around 1,700ft tall, the skyscraper is the tallest building in the Chinese capital and serves as the headquarters of CITIC Group. Its distinctive design, inspired by an ancient Chinese bronze wine vessel known as a “Zun”, has earned it the nickname “China Zun”. HK01. Hong Kong-based news outlet, reports the building is the world’s first skyscraper standing more than 500 metres tall to be constructed in an area designed to withstand an intensity-8 earthquake. Two windows were shattered by the impact, while the aircraft is reported to have broken apart completely. Footage circulating online appears to show fragments of the plane falling to the ground, with thick smoke rising from the base of the tower where wreckage was scattered.

Images from the scene appear to show a large hole in the side of the building, while photographs circulating online purportedly show one of the aircraft’s wings lying on the ground alongside scattered wreckage and shards of glass.

Video shared online also appears to show people evacuating the building, while emergency responders and officials cordoned off the scene.

Other footage appears to show office workers descending stairwells before leaving the skyscraper as emergency sirens sounded outside.

Witnesses in nearby office buildings were heard shouting: “The plane has fallen!” and “It’s on fire!”, while videos appeared to show fire engines arriving at the scene.

Reuters, citing eyewitnesses, reported that a large police presence was deployed around the tower following the crash, with officers reportedly preventing passers-by and tourists from taking photographs. Some nearby roads were also reportedly closed.

A woman identified only by the surname Lin told the South China Morning Post she was urgently evacuated from the building at around 6pm.

“I ran out without my ID card or bag,” she added.

The number of casualties has not been confirmed by authorities.

According to local media, the aircraft was a Sunward SA60L Aurora with registration B-12PP and was believed to have been on a solo flight, with only the pilot on board.

Global.hk reported the aircraft took off from Shifosi Airport at around 5.30pm and was preparing to return for landing at 5.40pm when it deviated from its planned flight path, citing preliminary information released by authorities.

Flight tracking reportedly followed the aircraft until it lost signal near Beijing’s East Fifth Ring Road. Posts circulating on social media claimed the aircraft could no longer be contacted after it disappeared from flight tracking.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with authorities yet to confirm what caused the aircraft to veer off course.