At around 6:30 p.m. on May 19, a large-scale incident occurred at the Mingzhongdu Drum Tower in Fengyang County, Chuzhou City, Anhui Province, where a significant number of roof tiles suddenly fell from the top of the structure. Tiles on one side of the building's modern reconstructed upper section cascaded down like a "waterfall," accompanied by heavy dust. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Eyewitnesses described the event as beginning with a few scattered tiles falling, which quickly escalated into a concentrated slide lasting about 1 to 2 minutes. The collapsed section was part of the upper structure rebuilt in 1995 and did not involve the original Ming Dynasty stone base. At the time of the incident, the square was relatively empty. Nearby shopkeepers commented that had it happened later—when children often gather—the consequences could have been severe.

The original Drum Tower was built in the 8th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1375). Its remaining base is the largest in China, measuring 72 meters in length and 15.8 metres in height. The upper building was reconstructed in 1995, and in September 2023, a renovation project costing 3.41 million yuan ($470,000 USD) was launched. The work included roof repairs and replacement of damaged eaves. The incident occurred just 15 months after this renovation was completed.

The Fengyang County Bureau of Culture and Tourism confirmed that the collapsed tiles were from the modern reconstructed portion and emphasised that the main structure remains safe. An investigation into the cause has been launched, with preliminary directions including natural weathering, construction defects, or maintenance lapses.

Online, many compared the sturdiness of the Ming Dynasty base with the failure of the modern reconstruction, questioning the effectiveness of the 3.41 million yuan spent. Some accused the project of being a potential "tofu-dreg" (poor-quality) construction. Concerns were also raised about the professional qualifications of the contractor, Huangshan Huizhou Zhongya Construction Company.

The area around the tower has since been sealed off. Authorities are working with architectural experts to assess the damage, plan repairs, and initiate follow-up investigations and accountability procedures.