Car crashes into 400-year-old protected bell tower in Shaanxi

A car has crashed into a nearly 400-year-old protected bell tower in Shaanxi province, causing damage to the historic structure's stairway wall.

The incident occurred around 2:50 am on Thursday when a small vehicle traveling along East Street collided with the northern staircase of the Hu County Bell Tower in Huyi District, Xi'an.

Authorities have impounded the vehicle and are investigating the cause of the accident. The bell tower, designated as a provincial-level protected cultural relic in 2003, had protective barriers and warning lines installed around the damaged area.

The structure, commonly known as the "Central Tower" for its downtown location, was first listed as a county-level protected cultural site in 1983. Cultural heritage departments are currently assessing the extent of the damage.