Dramatic Collapse of Historic Chinese Tower: Miraculously, No Injuries

Roof Collapse at Historic Chinese Tower: No Injuries Reported A section of the roof of the 650-year-old Fenyang Drum Tower in Anhui province, China, collapsed on May 19, 2025. Footage circulating on social media shows hundreds of roof tiles cascading down, narrowly missing a crowd of onlookers. Local authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported. "It happened so fast," one eyewitness told Yangcheng Evening News, "the tiles were falling for a minute or two." Another eyewitness, speaking to Beijing News, added, "If it happened a little later, there would have been many children coming out to play after dinner." The Fenyang County Culture and Tourism Bureau swiftly responded, activating emergency measures and cordoning off the area. They released a statement confirming that the situation is under investigation. The tower, built during the Ming Dynasty in 1375, had undergone repairs just over a year prior due to damage to its roof tiles. The cause of the recent collapse remains under investigation. The incident highlights the importance of ongoing maintenance and preservation of historical structures. The fact that no one was harmed amidst the dramatic collapse is a fortunate outcome.