A small aircraft reportedly crashed into Beijing's tallest skyscraper on Friday, prompting a substantial emergency response and an immediate information blackout from Chinese authorities. Footage and images shared on social media platforms appear to depict the aircraft plummeting to the ground after creating a significant opening in the 108-story CITIC Tower, situated in the capital's central business district.
First responders, including police, fire, and emergency medical services personnel, were observed at the scene. They were reportedly preventing onlookers from capturing images and actively attempting to clear the vicinity. An individual working within the high-rise confirmed that the plane crash activated the building's fire alarms.
Details of the Incident
According to flight tracking data from Flightradar24, the aircraft involved was identified as a Sunward SA 60L Aurora. The plane took off approximately 30 miles east of Beijing and crashed shortly before 6 p.m. local time. Air traffic data, specifically ADS-B information for the flight, indicates only a partial flight path, with tracking ceasing before the time of the impact.
Official Silence and Online Circulation
Despite the incident occurring in a prominent location, government officials and state-run media outlets had released no information as of Friday afternoon. This silence coincided with efforts by Chinese censors to remove content related to the crash from the country's domestically regulated internet.
However, photographs and videos of the event managed to circumvent China's
