A person sitting among damaged terracotta army statues.
Share this @internewscast.com

THIS is the shocking moment a tourist jumps a railing around the famous Terracotta Army and smashes up two of the priceless statues.

The 30-year-old visitor leapt over the guard rail surrounding the clay warrior figures at a museum in the city of Xi’An on Friday.

A person sitting among damaged terracotta army statues.
The tourist leapt down into the 18ft-deep pit, landing amongst Terracotta Army warriorsCredit: News Flare
Damaged Terracotta Army statues after a tourist jumped into the pit.
Two statues can be seen knocked over and damagedCredit: News Flare
A man lies on the floor near broken terracotta army statues after jumping over a railing.
The man, identified as 30-year-old Sun, is said to suffer from mental health problemsCredit: News Flare

Footage shows the aftermath of his jump and senseless destruction of the 2000-year-old artefacts.

He can be seen lying on his back and rolling around – apparently in pain – at the bottom of an 18ft-deep pit.

The alleged vandal is leaning against one of the ancient statues as alarmed onlookers peer down into the pit.

Another angle shows the devastating extent of the damage to the statues.

Two have been knocked over and lie in pieces on the floor after the man “pushed and pulled” the clay figures.

They can clearly be seen to have crumbled in part – with officials reporting they were damaged to “varying degrees”.

Security guards for the museum quickly stepped in to grab the intruder before he inflicted more damage.

Authorities said the man, identified only by his surname Sun, suffers from mental health problems.

They also confirmed an investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

There are worries about how Sun was able to overcome the safety barriers, which include a railing and protective net, and fall into the pit.

Dramatic moment gang blow up museum door & steal 2,500-year-old Golden Helmet in Ocean’s 11-style heist before vanishing

Despite the intrusion, museum staff confirmed that the Xi’An exhibition remains open to the public.

In 2017, an American man admitted to stealing a thumb from one of the terracotta warriors while it was on exhibition in Pennsylvania.

Michael Rohana, in his early 20s, snapped it off when it was on display at the Franklin Institute museum.

In that case, the statue was estimated to be worth $4.5million.

Terracotta warrior mask unearthed from the ground.
The clay figures were discovered buried underground 50 years agoCredit: �2024 Netflix, Inc.
Terracotta Army figures at the Qin Museum.
The sculptures are based on the army of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi HuangCredit: Getty

By that figure, the damage inflicted by the rogue tourist in Xi’An could amount to a whopping $9million, if the statues are ruined.

Rohana was acquitted after his prosecution ended in a mistrial.

His lawyer successfully argued that he was wrongly charged under laws that usually apply to major museum thefts.

Security cameras recorded him “fooling around” with the statues, taking selfies, and seemingly damaging one of them before departing.

Museum staff noticed the missing thumb the following month and contacted the FBI.

They later traced the thumb to Rohana, who admitted he had kept the thumb in a desk drawer.

What is the Terracotta Army?

THE Terracotta Army is a collection of sculptures depicting the army of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang.

The warriors are made from terracotta, which is a type of reddish-brown clay.

The army was crafted for the purpose of being buried alongside Huang when he died around 210 BC.

It was believed they would help protect him in the afterlife.

The sculptures were first discovered in 1974 by local farmers in Linton County, outside Xi’an.

They vary in height according to their rank – with the generals built to be the tallest.

Amongst the collection are around 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses, 150 cavalry horses and a range of other non-military figures.

Some of the sculptures have been moved for display, whilst others remain in situ in the pits.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
VELYKA NOVOSILKA, DONBAS, UKRAINE - MARCH 7: Ukrainian servicemen of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army patrol around the town of Velyka Novosilka, Ukraine March 7, 2023. The frontline around the city of Vuhledar, a strategic rail and road hub south of Bakhmut, resembles an apocalyptic scenario. Destroyed buildings and burned cars are scattered at both sides of the road. There, hidden on basements of abandoned houses, the Ukrainian Volunteer Army hold their positions against relentless attacks by Russian forces. Under the threat of the enemyâs artillery, that echoes through the village, soldiers hold their fortified positions in shifts of 12h. In recent days, they said, they have been able to repel several Russian offensives. (Photo by Ignacio Marin Fernandez/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Why the Donbas Region Is Key to Putin’s Strategy: Understanding Its Strategic Importance and the Impact of a Decade of Conflict

PUTIN laid his cards on the table when he declared that he…
Aerial view of a captured US M113 armored personnel carrier with Russian and US flags.

Bold Russian Troops Waving American Flag in Combat ‘Eliminated on Frontline by Ukrainians’ Following Provocative Act

WARPED Russian soldiers who flew the American flag into battle as a…
Man in dark shirt at court hearing.

Emotional Confrontation: Daughter Faces ‘Monster’ Dad After Attempted Killing – ‘You Smiled While Choking Me’

A DAUGHTER emotionally confronted her father in court after he was charged…
Ella Emhoff shares climate anxiety concerns while using plastic bags in social media posts

Ella Emhoff Discusses Climate Anxiety While Facing Backlash for Plastic Bag Use in Social Media Posts

Ella Emhoff, stepdaughter of former Vice President Kamala Harris, expressed her struggles…
Chicago Police Department leaders were warned of 'problematic patterns' with 1863 tactical team's traffic stops turned searches

Chicago Police Department Leaders Alerted to Concerning Trends in Traffic Stop Searches by the 1863 Tactical Team

CHICAGO (WLS) — When Limorris Bell was pulled over by Chicago police…
Court blocks Idaho police from releasing more murder victim bedroom footage and materials

Idaho Court Restricts Police from Releasing Additional Footage and Materials from Murder Victim’s Bedroom

The mother of one of the four University of Idaho murder victims…
Walmart employee stocking frozen vegetables.

Walmart Alert: Check Lot Codes on Dinner Staple Sold in 13 States Due to Radioactivity Concerns

THE Federal Food and Drug Administration has warned Americans to avoid purchasing…
Bryan Kohberger flexed like 'American Psycho' and spent Christmas night reading about serial killers

Bryan Kohberger Displayed ‘American Psycho’ Traits, Spent Christmas Night Studying Serial Killers

As digital forensics experts analyzed the cellphone of Bryan Kohberger, the 30-year-old…
Bryan Kohberger entering a courtroom for his arraignment.

Bryan Kohberger Debunks Theory About Victim Kaylee Goncalves After Conflicting Accounts From Surviving Roommate

A THEORY about what really happened during the murders of four Idaho…
Man riding a Ural motorcycle with a sidecar on a gravel road.

“Putin Surprises Me With a £16k Motorbike in Alaska: Time for a Thank You Note?”

RUSSIAN tyrant Vladimir Putin gave an Alaskan local a brand new £16,000…
FDA warns public not to eat possibly radioactive shrimp under Great Value brand sold at Walmart in 13 states

FDA Alerts Consumers: Avoid Potentially Radioactive Shrimp from Great Value Brand at Walmart in 13 States

The FDA is warning the public about possibly radioactive shrimp that may…
The First State Backed Stablecoin

Introducing the Inaugural Government-Backed Stablecoin

In a pioneering initiative that could reshape the stablecoin realm, Wyoming has…