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The Great Wall of China has suffered ‘irreversible damage’ after two people dug a hole through the wall with an excavator to create a shortcut
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 05 Sep 2023
Two people have been detained by police after a ‘shortcut’ was created with an excavator Credit: 1800
The Great Wall of China has been severely damaged after construction workers looking for a shortcut used an excavator to dig a path through the world wonder.
With a total length of 21,196km (13,170mi), the Great Wall began construction in the third century BC, spans 15 provinces and is, in-part, covered by more than 600 different heritage bodies.
A man, 38, and the woman, 55, were working near the Great Wall when they decided to dig a gap big enough so their digger could pass through it, reducing the distance they had to travel.
The incident, which occurred in Shanxi province, has seen the duo detained by police, who say they have caused “irreversible damage to the integrity of the Ming Great Wall and to the safety of the cultural relics”.
The part of the wall affected is the 32nd Great Wall - a section of the Ming Great Wall located in Youyu county.
A Unesco World Heritage Site since 1987, many parts of the wall are in a state of disrepair, having been used by local people – particularly in the 20th century – as a source of stones to rebuild houses and roads. Much of the wall has also been lost to tourists, who illegally take pieces as souvenirs.
A 2012 report by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage reveals that 22 percent of the original Ming Great Wall has disappeared, while 1,961km (1,219m) of the overall wall has been completely lost. In addition to human intervention, natural elements are also an issue, with erosion a constant threat along some parts of the wall due to sandstorms. Along the western section of the wall, many parts are also constructed from mud, rather than brick and stone, making them extra susceptible to weather.
“Currently, the two suspects have been criminally detained in accordance with the law, and the case is continuing to be investigated,” said Chinese broadcaster CCTV.
Heritage
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