600-Year-Old Fengyang Drum Tower Roof Partially Collapses, Tourists Flee Anhui Province

The historic Fengyang Drum Tower in Fengyang County, Anhui Province, China, partially collapsed when hundreds of roof tiles fell from the structure, startling tourists but causing no injuries. Originally built in 1375 during the Ming Dynasty and rebuilt in 1995, the tower had recently undergone renovations due to prior damage and safety concerns. The collapse mainly affected the upper part of the tower, with large dust clouds and the sound of falling ceramic tiles captured on video. Local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, emphasizing the absence of casualties and the tower's significance as a cultural landmark, being the birthplace of the Hongwu Emperor, founder of the Ming Dynasty. Eyewitnesses noted that the collapse occurred when the square below was empty, avoiding potential injuries, especially to children who often play in the area. The event disrupted the site's usual tranquility and raised concerns about the structure's preservation despite recent maintenance efforts.