Two individuals have been apprehended after using an excavator to dig a hole in the Great Wall of China, as reported by state broadcaster CCTV. The incident took place in Shanxi province, where the police, following the tracks left by the machinery, discovered that these individuals had created a shortcut through a section of the wall. The Great Wall, built by the Chinese emperors to protect against foreign invasions, is comprised of several sections extending for thousands of kilometers.
During the investigation, the suspects admitted that their motive behind digging the hole was to reduce travel time locally. This act caused irreversible damage to the wall, per state media reports. The affected section of the wall, located a six-hour drive west of central Beijing, belongs to China’s Ming Dynasty era (14th-17th centuries) and was considered a relatively well-preserved segment valuable for research purposes.
Chinese state TV shared images that showcased the aftermath of the incident, displaying a dusty road that had been cut through a long raised section of the wall, representing the remnants of the ancient barrier. Both suspects have been detained under criminal charges in accordance with the law, and the investigation into the matter is ongoing, as confirmed by CCTV.
The Great Wall of China, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, holds significant historical and cultural importance, attracting millions of tourists each year from across the globe. This incident serves as a reminder of the need to preserve and protect this iconic structure for future generations to appreciate and admire.