A pilot lost his life and 13 other people sustained injuries after a small aircraft crashed into one of Beijing’s tallest skyscrapers on Friday evening, Chinese authorities confirmed.
According to officials in Beijing’s Chaoyang District, the single-engine, two-seat aircraft struck the high-rise at about 5:55 p.m. local time. The pilot, who was the only person aboard the plane, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities said 13 people on the ground were injured during the incident, though details about the severity of their injuries were not immediately released.
The aircraft collided with the 528-metre (1,732-foot) CITIC Tower, China’s tallest building, leaving visible damage to windows on one of its upper floors. Witnesses reported seeing aircraft debris scattered near the base of the skyscraper.
Videos captured by bystanders showed emergency crews battling small fires with water jets while police and ambulances rushed to the scene. Security personnel cordoned off the area and prevented onlookers from taking photographs.
In an official statement released via WeChat on Saturday, local authorities confirmed the crash and said an investigation is underway to determine what caused the accident.
The CITIC Tower, a landmark office complex with 108 floors above ground and seven below, accommodates approximately 12,000 office workers.
China maintains some of the world’s strictest airspace regulations, particularly over Beijing, where flights are tightly controlled for public security reasons. Authorities have not yet disclosed how the light aircraft was operating in the restricted airspace or whether it had received flight clearance.
