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Pilot dies after crashing plane into Beijing skyscraper
🇵🇦 Panama /Disasters & Emergencies

Pilot dies after crashing plane into Beijing skyscraper

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Under investigation
  • A pilot died after his small aircraft crashed into Beijing's tallest skyscraper, the Citic Tower, on Friday.
  • The incident also resulted in 13 people being injured on the ground.
  • Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, which occurred in a highly secure area of the Chinese capital.

A pilot was killed when his light aircraft collided with Beijing's tallest skyscraper, the Citic Tower, on Friday afternoon. The crash also left 13 people injured, according to official statements released on Saturday.

The incident, which occurred at 5:55 p.m. local time, involved a single-engine, two-seater sports aircraft. The pilot was the sole occupant of the plane. The crash left a visible hole in one of the upper floors of the 528-meter (1,732 ft) Citic Tower, prompting a significant security response from authorities.

Something like this cannot happen in Beijing. It's Beijing... It's quite common abroad, but it shouldn't happen in China.

— BystanderA woman observing the building from the street expressed her disbelief and shock at the incident occurring in Beijing.

Details surrounding the cause of the unusual crash remain under investigation by relevant services. The Citic Tower, located in Beijing's eastern business district, houses approximately 12,000 employees. The event has drawn significant attention due to the stringent security measures typically in place in the Chinese capital.

One bystander, observing the scene from the street, expressed shock, stating, "Something like this cannot happen in Beijing. It's Beijing... It's quite common abroad, but it shouldn't happen in China." The individual added, "I am really shocked."

I am really shocked.

— BystanderThe same woman conveyed her overall reaction to the plane crash.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by TVN Panamá in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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