A civilian aircraft has slammed into a high-rise tower in central Beijing, sources confirm. The crash occurred at approximately 09:47 local time, sending a fireball visible across the city. As of this hour, Beijing has issued no official statement on the cause or casualties. The British government has broken its silence, demanding immediate transparency from Chinese authorities. A Foreign Office spokesperson stated: "The UK calls on China to provide full and unrestricted access to crash investigators and to release all available data from flight recorders without delay."
Uncovered documents obtained by this newsroom indicate that the aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 operated by a domestic Chinese carrier, was flying a routine domestic route from Shanghai. The tower, a 48-storey commercial building in the Chaoyang district, housed several multinational corporations including a subsidiary of a British banking giant. Emergency services remain at the scene, but reports of survivors are scarce. A source close to the investigation says the plane's transponder stopped transmitting two minutes before impact. The black boxes have not yet been recovered.
This silence from Beijing is deafening. In past incidents, including the 2014 Malaysia Airlines MH370 disappearance, Chinese officials have been criticised for their slow, opaque response. The UK's demand for transparency will likely strain diplomatic relations already tested by the recent trade disputes and allegations of cyber espionage. The crash raises immediate questions about aviation safety protocols and the integrity of Chinese air traffic control systems.
Meanwhile, relatives of the passengers have begun gathering at Shanghai's Pudong International Airport, awaiting news. The airline has not confirmed the number of people on board, but flight manifests suggest 168 passengers and six crew.
This is a developing story. We will continue to follow the money and hold power to account. The world is watching Beijing's next move. The silence must end.
