Chinese authorities detained two individuals on suspicion of damaging the Great Wall of China with an excavator, having been accused of irreparably damaging the treasured symbol in order to create a shortcut for passage.
Authorities in China's Yuyu County said they received a report on Aug. 24 that a gap had been formed in the wall in Yangqianhe Township, Chinese media reported. Officials reportedly believe that heavy machinery was used to punch a hole in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A police investigation identified the individuals as a 38-year-old man surnamed Zheng and a 55-year-old woman surnamed Wang. It's reported the pair were construction workers assigned to a nearby site.
Police said the investigation was ongoing. Both detainees were charged with destroying a cultural relic, state media said.