Historic drum tower in Fengyang: 650-year-old landmark partially collapses
Chuzhou (China) - Devastating. In Fengyang , China , the 650-year-old "Drum Tower" has partially collapsed. Numerous tourists made it to safety in time.
On Monday evening, the venerable drum tower of the ancient imperial city of Fengyang (central China) partially collapsed, reports the state-run newspaper"Global Times".
Videos taken by tourists and shared on Chinese social networks show the disaster in detail. Individual tiles can be seen coming loose, then the roof gives way. Within two minutes, parts of the structure collapse.
A large cloud of dust envelops the forecourt. Panicked people run away, others film with their smartphones.
Fortunately, no one was injured. The area around the landmark was closed off by the authorities. But the damage to the palace building, built in 1375, is considerable.
Video: Drum tower in Fengyang suddenly collapses
Drum tower remains closed for the time being
It is still completely unclear why the drum tower collapsed with a crash. "Yesterday the wind was strong, but today the wind is actually not that strong," said a street vendor who had set up his stall in front of the attraction and had to watch everything, to the state news portal YCWB. Recently, however, there has been heavy rainfall in the area.
As YCWB further reports, the tower was extensively renovated just last year for the equivalent of 420,000 euros, "completed on June 5, 2024 and unanimously praised by the owner and people from all walks of life".
The Drum Tower is considered the largest of its kind in China. The monumental structure was built under the first Ming Emperor Hongwu (ruled from 1368 to 1398) and adorned the extensive palace complex Ming Huangling, the imperial mausoleum complex.
During the Cultural Revolution (1966 to 1976), however, the complex was largely destroyed. It was rebuilt after the end of Mao Zedong's rule in 1976. The palace is considered one of China's most famous tourist attractions, with millions of people flocking there every year.
The damage to the Drum Tower cannot yet be quantified. Whether and when the historic building can be reopened to visitors is still completely uncertain.