FENGYANG, CHINA – A portion of the roof of a significant Ming Dynasty-era drum tower, a landmark reconstructed in 1995, has partially collapsed in eastern China, sending hundreds of ancient tiles crashing to the ground and narrowly missing tourists below. The incident, which occurred on Monday, has sparked a swift official investigation and raised concerns about the preservation and structural integrity of China’s vast architectural heritage.
The Fengyang Drum Tower, located in Anhui province and originally built in 1375, is one of the largest and most historically important structures of its kind in China. It served as a vital timepiece and ceremonial announcement point during the Ming Dynasty, a period renowned for its monumental construction projects.
Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene as tiles began to dislodge from the upper reaches of the tower, raining down for what some estimated was up to a minute or two. Videos circulating on Chinese social media platforms show visitors scrambling to safety as a cloud of dust billowed around the base of the majestic structure.
“That’s so scary. These tiles are like tofu,” one user on Weibo commented, while another quipped, “If this were to happen during the ancient times, heads would roll.”
Fortunately, local authorities from the Fengyang County Culture and Tourism Bureau quickly confirmed that no injuries were reported in the collapse. This fortunate outcome was attributed by some residents to the timing of the incident, noting that the square would typically be teeming with children at a different hour of the day.
However, the lack of casualties does not diminish the gravity of the event. The tower, while boasting a Ming-era base, had undergone an extensive reconstruction in 1995 after being destroyed during the Qing Dynasty in 1853. More recently, local officials stated that the reconstructed building had undergone maintenance as recently as February 2023 to March 2024 to address “worsening damage and safety hazards.”
This recent renovation, coupled with the collapse, has immediately brought the quality of the repair work and overall structural oversight under scrutiny. The Fengyang County Culture and Tourism Bureau has announced that an investigation is underway, with experts dispatched to the site to assist in determining the cause of the collapse. The probe will reportedly examine the design and construction aspects of the recent repair project.
The incident highlights the immense challenge China faces in preserving its ancient architectural treasures, many of which are popular tourist destinations. As both domestic and international tourism rebound, ensuring the safety and long-term stability of these historical sites becomes paramount.
For now, the Fengyang Drum Tower remains closed to the public while repairs are carried out and the investigation continues. The timing of its reopening will depend on the findings of the inquiry and the extent of the necessary restoration work to secure this enduring symbol of China’s imperial past.