KUALA LUMPUR – Hundreds of roof tiles fell from the Fengyang Drum Tower in Anhui province, eastern China, on Monday evening, sending visitors scrambling but causing no injuries.
Footage circulating on social media showed tiles cascading from the east-facing roof section, kicking up a large dust cloud near the site.
The 650-year-old tower, built in 1375 during the Ming Dynasty and considered one of the largest drum towers in China, had recently undergone repairs completed earlier this year.
The incident occurred around 6.30pm local time on May 20, Fengyang County’s Culture and Tourism Bureau said in a statement.
Visitors were evacuated promptly, and the area was cordoned off while an investigation was launched. Experts and supervision teams have been dispatched to assess the cause, focusing on the recent restoration project’s design and construction.
The tower consists of two parts: a raised platform base dating back to the original Ming era, which was designated a protected cultural relic in 1989, and the upper drum tower building, reconstructed in 1995 following partial destruction during the Qing Dynasty.
The reconstruction retained traditional Ming architectural style, with intricate wooden brackets and ornamental roof ridges typical of that era.
According to reports, officials noted that roof tile damage had been observed since 2017, prompting restoration work from September 2023 to March 2024 aimed at preserving both the structural integrity and the aesthetic heritage of the site.
The roof tiles are made of traditional glazed ceramic, a common material in Ming architecture, designed both for durability and symbolic protection.
Eyewitnesses quoted by Yangcheng Evening News and The Beijing News described the “sharp sounds of falling tiles” and noted the collapse lasted only a couple of minutes.
The authorities confirmed no casualties and said the tower remains closed pending repairs.
The Fengyang Drum Tower is a key historical landmark located about 200 miles from Beijing, in Fengyang county – the birthplace of Zhu Yuanzhang, the Hongwu Emperor, who founded the Ming Dynasty in 1368.
The tower historically served a civic role, marking ceremonial occasions and signalling time through the beating of its drum, an important function in traditional Chinese urban planning.
Drum towers have deep cultural significance in Chinese history. Traditionally located in city centres or near government buildings, they were used to announce the time, sound alarms during emergencies, and mark the start of important rituals.
They symbolised social order and governance, reflecting the Ming Dynasty’s emphasis on structure, hierarchy, and central authority during a period of political consolidation and cultural flourishing. – May 22, 2025