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A small plane hit Beijing’s CITIC Tower. Hours later it was like nothing had happened
CNN • • general
Key Points:
- A small plane crashed into Beijing's 109-story CITIC Tower on Friday afternoon, killing the pilot and injuring 13 others, causing panic in the city center during rush hour.
- The Chinese government initially did not acknowledge the incident, and all references and footage were quickly removed from Chinese social media, reflecting strict information control and censorship.
- Authorities have not confirmed whether the crash was accidental or intentional, raising concerns about how the pilot managed to fly over Beijing's tightly controlled airspace.
- The CITIC Tower houses major state-owned and international companies and is located near foreign embassies and global financial institutions, underscoring the significance of the crash site.
- Flight data suggests the aircraft deviated significantly after takeoff, and new regulations have recently banned casual recreational flying and drones in Beijing, highlighting the strict aviation controls in place.
