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🇮🇸 Iceland /Disasters & Emergencies

Plane crashes into Beijing skyscraper, witnesses in shock

From Morgunblaðið · () Icelandic

Translated from Icelandic, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A small plane crashed into a skyscraper in Beijing, causing debris to fall and prompting panic among witnesses.
  • Eyewitnesses expressed shock, stating such an event was unexpected in China.
  • Authorities have not yet released information on the incident, including any potential casualties, and have declined to provide details to AFP.

Panic erupted in Beijing as a small aircraft collided with a towering skyscraper, sending wreckage raining down onto the city streets. Witnesses described a scene of disbelief and fear, with many fleeing the area. "I thought something like this wouldn't happen in Beijing. This is Beijing... It's quite common abroad, but it shouldn't happen in China," said a middle-aged woman who saw the incident from the ground, speaking to AFP.

I thought something like this wouldn't happen in Beijing. This is Beijing... It's quite common abroad, but it shouldn't happen in China.

— Middle-aged womanWitnessing the plane crash into the skyscraper.

Another individual, a finance sector employee, expressed bewilderment. "I don't know why the plane would fly in here. It's actually quite strange," they told AFP. One woman recounted being instructed to evacuate her building via the stairs, not the elevators, as she rushed down dozens of floors.

I don't know why the plane would fly in here. It's actually quite strange.

— Finance sector employeeCommenting on the unusual nature of the incident.

Authorities in China have remained silent on the incident, and the police denied AFP's request for further information. The extent of any casualties remains unknown. A student at the scene mentioned rushing to the building after details of the crash were shared in an online aviation enthusiast group, noting that images and posts were quickly deleted from social media.

I ran down dozens of floors in a hurry.

— WomanDescribing her evacuation from the building.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Morgunblaðið in Icelandic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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