A small plane crashed into Beijing's tallest skyscraper on Friday, prompting a large emergency response and an immediate information blackout from authorities. Video and photos shared on social media appear to show the aircraft plummeting to the ground after smashing a large hole in the 108-story CITIC Tower, located in the Chinese capital's business district.
Emergency responders, including police, fire, and EMS workers, were spotted at the scene, preventing witnesses from taking photos and attempting to clear the area. A person working inside the high-rise said the plane crash triggered the building's fire alarms, and the incident occurred shortly before 6 p.m. local time.
Flight tracking data indicates the aircraft involved was a Sunward SA 60L Aurora, which took off about 30 miles east of the city. However, ADS-B data for the flight only includes a partial flight path and stops prior to the crash, according to air traffic data.
Despite efforts to restrict information, photos and videos of the incident circulated on social media platforms, although Chinese censors have since removed content about the crash from the country's restricted internet. Government officials and state-run media have not released any information about the incident, leaving many questions unanswered.
The cause of the crash, identity of the pilot, and the number of casualties remain unclear. The situation is still developing, and authorities have yet to provide any official statements or updates on the incident.
