Collapse of Historic Ming Dynasty Tower Leaves Bystanders Unharmed

An ancient tower built during the Ming Dynasty experienced significant roof failure, with hundreds of tiles falling near visitors but fortunately causing no injuries. Local authorities are currently investigating the causes and ensuring the safety of the area.

Hundreds of tiles came crashing down from the roof of a historic tower in Anhui province, China, creating a dramatic scene that narrowly missed visitors at the site. Eyewitness footage captured the moment sections of the ancient roof collapsed, further alarming bystanders who were nearby at the time. Fortunately, reports indicate that no injuries were sustained in the incident, which occurred around 18:30 local time (11:30 BST) on Monday.

The Drum Tower, which dates back to 1375 and is considered the largest of its kind in China, had undergone extensive renovations in 1995 to preserve its structure. Following the collapse, the local Culture and Tourism Bureau of Fengyang County issued a statement and confirmed that an investigation into the incident was underway, shared via China's popular messaging app, WeChat.

Fengyang County, located approximately 200 miles from Beijing, is renowned as the birthplace of the Hongwu Emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming Dynasty. In response to the event, local authorities quickly secured the area, moving people away from the scene to ensure their safety. The investigation aims to assess the design and construction of the recent repair project, as well as the oversight provided during the renovations.

Experts from various supervision units have reportedly been called upon to assist in reviewing the situation and verifying the circumstances surrounding the collapse. The Drum Tower has been closed temporarily as repairs are planned, with announcements regarding its reopening expected to follow later.