Beijing (AFP) – A strong gale-force wind has toppled a giant statue of China’s first emperor Qin Shi Huang and flattened its face at a popular tourist site in eastern Shandong province.
The 19-meter (62-foot) bronze replica of the monarch — who was the first to unify warring factions in China and established the Qin dynasty (221-206 BC) -– was blown out of its pedestal on Friday.
Cranes were immediately called in to pick up the statue, which weighs about six tonnes, according to the state-run People’s Daily newspaper.
Photographs showed the structure was hollow, with metal bars inside.
The monument was built in 2005 to attract visitors to a local tourist resort.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.