Hundreds of roof tiles tumbled from the centuries-old Drum Tower in Fengyang County, Anhui Province, on Monday evening, narrowly missing tourists and prompting an urgent safety investigation. Eyewitness videos captured dramatic scenes as large sections of the roof suddenly gave way around 6:30 p.m. local time. Despite the chaos, no injuries were reported, according to the county’s Culture and Tourism Bureau.
The Drum Tower, considered the largest in China, was originally built in 1375 during the Ming Dynasty and extensively rebuilt in 1995. Fengyang holds historical significance as the birthplace of Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty.
Authorities quickly evacuated the area and have launched an investigation into the collapse. Officials say the probe will examine the design and construction quality of past repair work, with expert teams now deployed to the site. The tower has been temporarily closed, and a reopening date will be announced following repairs and safety assurances.
