Small Aircraft Reportedly Crashes Into Beijing’s Tallest Building.

Beijing’s tallest building showed signs of damage on Friday, as images and videos circulating on social media appeared to show debris from an aircraft near the building. While the images were consistent with the location, it was not possible to independently confirm their authenticity, and they were quickly removed from the internet.

The Hong Kong-based newspaper South China Morning Post reported that a small airplane had crashed into the CITIC Tower, also known as China Zun, in Beijing’s Central Business District. Photos showed what appeared to be a hole or broken glass on one side of the building.

Two bystanders said an aircraft about the size of a car crashed into Beijing’s CITIC Tower. Police and emergency crews rushed to Beijing’s tallest skyscraper on Friday after a small aircraft crashed into the building.

Images from the scene showed a large hole in the upper floors of the 528-metre tower, while witnesses reported seeing aircraft debris at the base of the building. Fire engines, ambulances and police vehicles surrounded the area as authorities cordoned off nearby streets and urged people not to stop or film.

Social media footage appeared to show smoke rising from the tower and firefighters tackling the blaze, although the authenticity of some videos could not be independently verified. A heavy police presence, as well as fire engines and ambulances, were seen outside the skyscraper.