Two workers plough into China’s Great Wall to make a shortcut

SHAH ALAM - The Great Wall of China, one of the most iconic and historically significant structures in human history, has suffered irreversible damage.

News reports have recently surfaced two workers who ploughed through the ancient structure with an excavator, leaving a 'big gap' through a section of the 13,170 mile (21,200km).

It was reported the pair, a 38-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman used the construction equipment to widen the existing gap and create a shortcut that was large enough to drive the excavator through it.

According to the Youyu Country Public Security Bureau, it was first notified of the hole in a wall section about 215 miles east of Beijing, on August 24.

The bureau then said the law enforcement officers rushed to the scene to find the piece of wall, which was believed to have been constructed by the Ming dynasty between 14th and 17th centuries, had been severely excavated and damaged by large-scale machinery.

The Great Wall of China, spanning over 13,000 miles is a symbol of China's rich history.

It has endured many centuries of wars, invasions and natural disasters, making it a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

However, challenges to preserve the wall have increased. As of 2015, the Chinese government reportedly said that as much as 30 per cent of the original structure may have disappeared.

Authorities said that other parts of the walls are also in poor condition due to human activity, including local residents allegedly stealing bricks to build their houses.

The one of the seven wonders also battled vandalism from tourists.

Back in 2017, it was reported that there were carvings on the wall in Chinese, English and Korean.

Back in 2021, two tourists were banned from entering China's Great Wall after trespassing on undeveloped sections.

Also, earlier this year, local media reported that a man was detained for several days after he carved a name on the wall.