Roof Section Collapses at China’s Historic Fengyang Drum Tower
Hundreds of tiles recently fell from the roof of the Fengyang Drum Tower in China’s Anhui province, crashing to the ground perilously close to visitors at the site. Eyewitness footage captured the dramatic moment sections of the roof detached and collapsed.
Despite the alarming incident and the proximity of falling debris to people, authorities have confirmed that no one was injured.
The collapse occurred around 6:30 PM local time on Monday, May 19th.
The Fengyang Drum Tower: History and Reconstruction
The structure involved is the Fengyang Drum Tower, located in Fengyang County. This area is particularly significant historically as the hometown of the Ming Dynasty’s founding emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang (Hongwu Emperor).
While the tower’s lineage dates back to an original structure built in 1375 during the Ming Dynasty, reports indicate that the original building was destroyed in 1853 during the Qing Dynasty. The tower standing today, reportedly the largest of its kind in China, is actually a reconstruction that was completed in 1995.
Investigation Underway
Local authorities in Fengyang County have launched an official investigation into the cause of the partial roof collapse. Information shared via China’s WeChat platform indicates that the probe will focus specifically on the design and construction of the 1995 reconstruction project.
Adding further context, local media reports suggest the tower had recently undergone maintenance due to identified “worsening damage and safety hazards” prior to the collapse occurring. Supervision units and experts have reportedly been dispatched to the scene to assist with the complex investigation and verification process.
Following the incident, local officials quickly moved bystanders away from the area and secured the site to ensure public safety.
Tower Closed for Repairs
The Fengyang Drum Tower is currently closed to the public while necessary assessment and repairs are conducted. A date for its potential reopening is expected to be announced at a later time.
The incident underscores the challenges inherent in maintaining and preserving historic sites, even those that are reconstructions of earlier structures, highlighting the critical need for ongoing structural integrity assessments and timely maintenance.
References
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1w33xnnjdzo
- https://www.yahoo.com/news/roof-historic-ming-dynasty-tower-145222935.html
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2025/05/21/fengyang-drum-tower-china-roof-collapse/83765694007/
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1w33xnnjdzo
