The ancient towers of Ghazni have stood through centuries of war and upheaval — until now.
Situated on the strategically vital main route between Kabul and southern Afghanistan, the city is believed to have been built in the 13th century and has seen British, Russian and US invaders come and go.
But now footage of one of the towers collapsing into a cloud of dust has raised fears that neglect may prove more dangerous to the monuments than the shells and bombs of rival armies.
In video posted to social media, dust is seen billowing from beneath the tower in the ancient fort, before the structure starts to crumble, sending bystanders fleeing.
It is one of 32 towers in the old city of Ghazni — many of which have been destroyed in recent years, according to the BBC.
"The main highway is located near the fort, which affects the towers," Mohammad Saber Mohmand, a spokesman for Ministry of Information and Culture, told TOLOnews, which obtained the video.
"Meanwhile, the fort is vulnerable to rainfalls and is mostly damaged by rains."
Now the Afghan government is being urged to help protect the surviving towers.
Ghazni, a trading and transit hub, is home to a number of cultural heritage sites, but the ancient buildings have been difficult for outsiders to access in recent times due to the Taliban insurgency.
