Watch | Small Aircraft Appears to Crash Into Beijing's Tallest Skyscraper, Debris Falls

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A small aircraft reportedly struck Beijing’s 109-storey CITIC Tower, causing debris to fall and prompting evacuation. Authorities launched an investigation as emergency services responded and the cause remains unclear
Watch | Small Aircraft Appears to Crash Into Beijing's Tallest Skyscraper, Debris Falls
The incident occurred in Beijing, where authorities have implemented strict restrictions on drone activity. Credits: Picture from X

A small aircraft appeared to have struck China's tallest skyscraper, the 109-storey CITIC Tower, also known as China Zun, in Beijing on Friday afternoon, causing debris to fall from the building, CNN reported.

According to CNN, dramatic visuals circulating on social media showed debris falling from the skyscraper, along with what appeared to be a section of the aircraft's tail and a damaged window of a taxi on the ground.

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A CNN journalist at the scene reported that people were evacuated from the building and gathered outside near the entrance, where emergency vehicles, including fire trucks, police cars and an ambulance, were present.

CNN said it had contacted local authorities and a phone number listed for the aircraft's owner, seeking further details about the incident.

According to CNN, assessing online images of the aircraft's registration code, the plane appeared to be a domestically manufactured light sport aircraft, identified as a Sunward SA 60L Aurora, reportedly operated by a local general aviation company.

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Unverified flight data shared online by flight tracking platform Flightradar24 appeared to indicate that the aircraft had followed an unusual and significantly deviated flight path before the incident.

The cause of the crash and details about possible casualties were not immediately clear, CNN reported.

The incident occurred in Beijing, where authorities have implemented strict restrictions on drone activity.

Since May 1, the Chinese capital has effectively been designated as a drone-free zone under new regulations, with residents prohibited from buying, renting or operating drones without government approval within the city's jurisdiction.

(With inputs from ANI)