Video/ Small plane crashes into CITIC Tower in Beijing, alarm and emergency response in the area

Panic and a large-scale emergency services operation were triggered in Beijing after a small plane crashed into CITIC Tower, the tallest building in the Chinese capital.

Chinese media reported that the aircraft struck the upper part of the building, while pieces of the plane and fragments of glass fell from a considerable height. As a result of the incident, a small fire also broke out near the entrance to the building.

Following the incident, the building was evacuated immediately. The debris also damaged several vehicles parked nearby, while numerous police forces, firefighters and medical teams arrived at the scene. For safety reasons, the authorities sealed off the entire area.

According to local media, the plane was a Sunward SA60L Aurora model and had taken off from Shifosi Airport with only the pilot on board. At around 17:40 local time, it was preparing to return for landing when it veered off its flight path and lost contact with air traffic control.

So far, the authorities have not yet released an official toll of victims or injured people, while the circumstances that led to the accident continue to be investigated.