Chinese officials have initiated an inquiry following the collapse of roofing tiles from a 650-year-old drum tower on Monday, which barely missed visitors standing near the ancient structure’s exterior walls.
Clips shared on social networks recorded the intense instant when a section of the ceiling collapsed, leading to roofing tiles slipping away rapidly.
As the tourists were startled, they rapidly retreated from the tower, causing a plume of dust to rise into the sky.
There were no reports of injuries in the incident that took place at the Fengyang Drum Tower in China’s Anhui province.
CNN
cited by the county’s culture and tourism bureau.
The agency stated that emergency response protocols were swiftly implemented.
CTV News
reported.
The authorities sealed off the area and established an investigative group to determine the reason for the incident.
The event triggered worry on social media platforms as numerous internet users voiced their astonishment.
“That sounds terrifying. The tiles are as soft as tofu,” commented a Weibo user.
Another chimed in, “Were this to occur in ancient times, many heads would certainly be severed.”
Constructed in 1375 during the Ming Dynasty, the Fengyang Drum Tower includes a elevated platform along with an upper section. Its foundation was recognized as a significant cultural artifact of Anhui province in 1989.
The initial structure was partially ruined during the Qing Dynasty in 1853 and was subsequently restored in 1995.
The bureau reported that the tower exhibited indications of wear and tear, with damages to the roofing tiles and eaves dating back to 2017.
A renovation initiative commenced in February 2023, with building work scheduled from September 2023 through March 2024.
