A domestic tourist caused damage to two ancient statues in China’s iconic Terracotta Army exhibition after jumping into a restricted area, authorities confirmed on Friday.
The incident occurred at the Terracotta Army Museum in Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi province, when a 30-year-old man, identified by his surname Sun, reportedly climbed over safety barriers and leapt into one of the excavation pits.
According to a statement released by local public security officials, the man suffers from a mental illness. Once inside the protected zone, he “pushed and pulled” several of the life-sized clay warriors, resulting in damage to two of the figures. The extent of the damage has not been fully disclosed, but both sculptures were harmed “to varying degrees.”
Security personnel quickly responded and detained the man at the scene. The pit he entered is approximately 5.4 meters (17.7 feet) deep, based on information provided on the museum’s website.
Dating back to around 209 BC, the Terracotta Army was constructed to guard the mausoleum of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. With more than 8,000 individual statues, each uniquely crafted, the site is one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in the world and a powerful symbol of ancient Chinese artistry and military history.
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, the Terracotta Army continues to draw millions of visitors annually. Despite the incident, museum staff confirmed that the exhibit remains open to the public, and additional security measures are being reviewed.
Cover Photo: Screen capture of the moment the tourist jumped into the Terracotta Army pit, shared via AFP.
