Video captured a large emergency response after a small plane crashed into Beijing’s tallest skyscraper on Friday, prompting an immediate information blackout from Chinese authorities, The Associated Press reported.
Video and photos shared on social media appear to show the aircraft plummeting to the ground after smashing a large hole in the 108-story (roughly 1,700 feet) CITIC Tower, located in the Chinese capital’s business district.
Chinese authorities on Saturday confirmed the pilot, who was the sole occupant, was killed, and 13 others were injured.
Police, fire and EMS workers were spotted at the scene preventing witnesses from taking photos and attempting to clear the area.
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A person working inside the high-rise said the plane crash triggered the building’s fire alarms.
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 indicated the aircraft was a Sunward SA 60L Aurora, which took off about 30 miles east of the city and crashed shortly before 6 p.m. local time.
ADS-B data for the flight only includes a partial flight path and stops prior to the crash, according to air traffic data.
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The AP reported that photos and videos of the incident escaped the country’s “great firewall” and were circulated on X, though Chinese censors have removed content about the crash from the country’s restricted internet.
The cause of the crash and identity of the pilot have not yet been released.
The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
