"#NEWS: Two people detained in China for damaging Great Wall with excavator 
Two people have been detained in China after allegedly damaging a section of the Great Wall in Shanxi Province with an excavator, according to state broadcaster CCTV. 
Authorities in Youyu County said they received a report on August 24 that a gap in the wall was created in Yangqianhe Township, CCTV reported.
After an investigation, police found a 38-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman had used an excavator to breach the wall in order to create a shortcut to pass through, causing "irreversible" damage to the integrity and safety of the portion of the wall, the broadcaster said. 
The area, known as the 32nd Great Wall, is one of the surviving complete walls and watch towers dated back to Ming dynasty (1368-1644) and is listed as a provincial cultural relic site.
Police said the case continues to be investigated.
Great Wall of China damaged while trying to create a shortcut
According to state broadcaster CCTV, two people have been detained in China after allegedly damaging a section of the Great Wall in the northern Shanxi province with an excavator.
0:30 • Source: CNN
World News 15 videos
"#NEWS: Two people detained in China for damaging Great Wall with excavator 
Two people have been detained in China after allegedly damaging a section of the Great Wall in Shanxi Province with an excavator, according to state broadcaster CCTV. 
Authorities in Youyu County said they received a report on August 24 that a gap in the wall was created in Yangqianhe Township, CCTV reported.
After an investigation, police found a 38-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman had used an excavator to breach the wall in order to create a shortcut to pass through, causing "irreversible" damage to the integrity and safety of the portion of the wall, the broadcaster said. 
The area, known as the 32nd Great Wall, is one of the surviving complete walls and watch towers dated back to Ming dynasty (1368-1644) and is listed as a provincial cultural relic site.
Police said the case continues to be investigated.
Great Wall of China damaged while trying to create a shortcut
0:30
Now playing
• Source: CNN
thumbnail us aircraft crash kuwait 2.jpg
US fighter jet crashes in Kuwait after being hit by 'friendly fire'
1:10
Now playing
• Source: CNN
117586_RubioToAmericans_Horizontal_Thumb.jpg
Rubio addresses Americans in the Middle East
1:31
Now playing
• Source: CNN
thumb_22415948_415175.223_thumb.jpg
Son of Iran's former shah makes his pitch to lead the country
1:32
Now playing
• Source: CNN
Screenshot 2026-03-02 at 13.42.33.png
Iran denies targeting Saudi oil facility
0:31
Now playing
• Source: CNN
pete-hegseth-iran-presser-pentagon-vrtc-cln.jpg
Hegseth: This is not a so-called regime change war
0:53
Now playing
• Source: CNN
16x9_LOOP.00_00_52_02.Still003.jpg
Iran’s Fars News Agency showcases underground drone arsenal in new propaganda video
0:52
Now playing
• Source: CNN
<p>Iranian state media says more than 100 students have been killed and scores more injured at a girls' elementary school. CNN investigates cell phone footage of the aftermath.</p>
A girls’ elementary school was hit in Iran. Here’s what we know.
1:52
Now playing
• Source: CNN
clipped thumbnail - israel-strike-tehran-armed-forces-headquarters-intldsk - CNN ID 22411652 - 00:00:07;06
Video released by the IAF claims to show strike on Iran's armed forces HQ
0:10
Now playing
• Source: CNN
117525_KhameneiObit_Horizontal_Clean_Thumb.jpg
Who was Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei?
1:20
Now playing
• Source: CNN
web thumb tehran.jpg
Smoke rises in Tehran on second day of Israel-US attacks
0:48
Now playing
• Source: CNN
thumb_22411013_2976.399_thumb.jpg
People celebrate in the streets after announcement of Khamenei’s death
0:40
Now playing
• Source: CNN
117527_DubaiAirportStrikes_Horizontal_Thumb.jpg
Dubai airport 'damaged' amid Iranian drone barrage
0:24
Now playing
• Source: CNN
crying thumb.jpg
State TV presenter cries while announcing the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
0:38
Now playing
• Source: CNN
thumb_22411013_2976.399_thumb.jpg
People celebrate in the streets after announcement of Khamenei’s death
0:40
Now playing
• Source: CNN