Great Wall of China severely damaged by two workers with an excavator, police say

Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY
Updated ·1 min read
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Part of the Great Wall of China has been severely damaged by two construction workers using an excavator, local authorities said Thursday.

The two workers, a 38-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman, were detained after causing irreversible damage to the wall, police said.

Authorities said they received reports about the damage on August 24 and that the case was under further investigation.

According to the police department at Youyu County, located in the northern province of Shanxi, the workers widened an existing cavity in the wall to allow their excavator through as a shortcut for work they were completing nearby.

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The portion of the wall that was damaged belongs to the 32nd Great Wall established in the Ming Dynasty, which spanned from 1368 to 1644. According to authorities, this portion of the wall is known for its "majestic and vast ancient frontier style" and has important protection and research value.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Great Wall of China damaged by workers with excavator