Wall of Pingyao damaged by downpours under repair

Officials and cultural relic protection experts rushed to the scene of a damaged wall section of the Ancient City of Pingyao in an emergency response to prevent a secondary collapse and ensure the safety of residents and tourists.

Recent heavy rains in North China's Shanxi province have damaged the wall section of the ancient city, and repair work is now underway, local authorities said on Oct 7. 

The partial collapse, measuring 25 meters in length, happened at an inner-wall section of the ancient city at around 6:30 am on Oct 5, resulting in no casualties, said the publicity department of the Party committee of Pingyao county.

The rammed earth and bricks that fell off the ground have now been cleaned up, and fences and warning signs have been set up along the damaged wall section which has been covered. 

"We will next formulate reasonable and targeted protection measures for the walls of the Ancient City of Pingyao and report them to higher authorities for approval for follow-up repairs," said Lei Yaxian, director of the local cultural relics Institute.

With a history of 2,700 years, Pingyao is famous for its well-preserved ancient architecture. It was named a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1997.