By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: Emergency services responded after a light sport aircraft crashed into Citic Tower, the tallest building in China’s Beijing, on Friday, forcing the evacuation of the skyscraper and leaving wreckage scattered around the surrounding business district.
Officials had not released any information on possible casualties at the time of reporting. The number of occupants, where the aircraft had taken off from, and what caused the crash also remained unknown.
Images and videos circulating online showed the aircraft striking the upper levels of the 528-metre tower before debris fell onto nearby walkways and landscaped areas. Separate footage captured people leaving the building as evacuation measures were carried out.
Speaking to the South China Morning Post, a woman identified only as Lin said she was evacuated from the tower at around 6 pm and had to leave behind both her identification card and personal belongings.
A person employed in a neighbouring office building said he heard a loud bang shortly before 5.40 pm but did not witness the collision itself.
Following the incident, police blocked roads surrounding the tower, cleared crowds from the area and deployed a large security presence. Ambulances were also positioned near the site.
Photographs shared online identified the aircraft with registration number B-12PP. Data from flight-tracking website Flightradar24 indicated that it was operated by Shuangyue General Aviation and identified it as a Sunward SA60L Aurora, a two-seat, single-engine light sport aircraft produced by Starair Aircraft Co.
Posts on social media suggested the aircraft belonged to a company providing services including pilot instruction, sightseeing flights and aircraft management. Telephone calls made to the company on Friday evening were not answered.
No official statement had been issued by Chinese authorities at the time of reporting. Meanwhile, posts discussing the crash disappeared from Chinese social media platforms, while some WeChat users reported that they were unable to share related content.
Current aviation rules require light sport aircraft operating in Beijing to obtain clearance from both the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the People’s Liberation Army Air Force before take-off.
The incident comes after Beijing tightened controls over its low-altitude airspace last month by introducing restrictions on recreational flying and consumer drones.
The rules require prior government approval for outdoor flights and prohibit the sale, rental or transport of drones and their key components within the capital, although Yanqing district has been designated as an authorised zone for drone testing and low-altitude aviation activities.
China has been expanding its low-altitude aviation sector, covering both crewed and unmanned aircraft used in services such as logistics and drone deliveries.
The industry was included among the country’s emerging pillar sectors in the 2026 government work report.
Citic Tower, completed in 2018, houses the headquarters of the China International Trust and Investment Corporation (CITIC).
At 528 metres, it remains the tallest building in Beijing, standing nearly 190 metres higher than the China World Trade Centre Tower III.