(TheConservativeTimes.org) – Construction workers running an excavator for a local project, used the machine to widen a gap through the Great Wall of China, to create a shortcut for equipment. The workers, a 55-year-old female and a 38-year-old male, have been arrested and charged with destroying a cultural relic.
The Great Wall is around 12,000 miles long and expands across China. The construction of the wall began somewhere around 220 BC during the reign of Qin Shi Huang as a deterrent against attacks. Throughout history, the Great Wall was built in sections with some sections dating back more than 2000 years. The damaged section was called the 32nd Great Wall and was erected during the Ming Dynasty. The reign of the Ming Dynasty lasted about 300 years, ending in the 1640’s.
Since the Great wall is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site, the massive structure is protected by the Chinese government.
It is estimated that about one-third of the ancient barrier has been lost over time. Deterioration from the climate, natural erosion, vandalism and even theft of the stones to build homes, have all played a part in the deterioration of the Great Wall.
The construction workers, identified as Zheng (male) and Wang (female), were located by police in Youyo county after police were made aware of a report made on August 24, 2023, about the damage. The damaged portion of the wall is in the Shanxi province. The two workers are being held until the situation can be investigated further. For now, the workers are being accused of using an excavator to dig out a portion of the wall that had an existing gap between two sections. It is believed they fashioned the hole large enough to drive the construction equipment through to eliminate having to drive around while working on a local project unrelated to the Great Wall.
The police claim the damage caused by the workers is “irreversible”.
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