A section of an ancient city wall collapsed today in China's northern Hebei Province due to incessant rain which has lashed the region in the past few days.
The south gate of the Yongpingfu city wall, which was 8 metres high, 4.5 metres wide, 15 metres long and was built during the Ming dynasty rule (1368-1644) collapsed at about 3 AM in Lulong county, Qinhuangdao city.
A person with the country's Cultural Relics Bureau, Xiao Yuanping, said the collapse was due to last year's earthquakes and the recent rainstorm.
"A big crack appeared in the wall above the south gate after two earthquakes in 2015," Xiao said.
"The recent heavy rain weakened its interior structure and led to the collapse," state run Xinhua news agency reported.
The site has been cordoned off.
The bureau will file a funding application for its restoration.
The city wall was approved as a national key historical and cultural site in 2013.
At least 14 people have been killed and 72 others reported missing in torrential rains in the Hebei Province till yesterday.
