Image copyright Getty Images Image caption A destroyed Russian tank is seen alongside one of two minarets built in the 12th Century in Ghazni city

An ancient tower in the Afghan city of Ghazni has collapsed, raising questions over the government's ability to protect the country's artefacts.

Footage uploaded to social media shows a fort in the old city crumbling.

The tower was one of dozens already destroyed in the city. Officials blamed heavy rain, but some critics accuse the government of negligence.

Ghazni's Islamic and pre-Islamic architecture is widely admired although war has taken its toll.

Mohammad Saber Mohmand, a spokesman for the ministry of information and culture, told Tolo News the fort was "vulnerable to rainfall and mostly damaged by rain".

Skip Twitter post by @TOLOnews A tower in the ancient Ghaznain Fort in Ghazni’s old city collapsed on Tuesday. The fort had 32 towers, most of which have collapsed over the past few years due to “inattention” by relevant government departments. pic.twitter.com/fvo9ntb3Vo — TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) June 11, 2019 Report

"The main highway is located near the fort, which affects the towers," he added.

Ghazni was a thriving Buddhist centre up until the 7th Century. But in 683 AD, Arab armies brought Islam to the region. In the 13th Century it was destroyed by the Mongol armies of Genghis Khan, led by his son Ogedei Khan.

The ancient city has been designated an Asian city of Islamic Culture by the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation.

However, many of the city's ancient buildings have been difficult for outsiders to visit due to the Taliban insurgency. </s> Ancient tower collapse caught on camera in Ghazni in Afghanistan

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.

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. </s> BBC News: An ancient tower in the Afghan city of Ghazni has collapsed, raising questions over the government’s ability to protect the country’s artefacts. Footage uploaded to social media shows a fort in the old city crumbling. The tower was one of dozens already destroyed in the city. Officials blamed heavy rain, but some critics accuse the government of negligence. Ghazni’s Islamic and pre-Islamic architecture is widely admired although war has taken its toll. Click here to read more (external link).
• Ancient tower collapse caught on camera in Ghazni in Afghanistan
One of the towers of the centuries-old Citadel of Ghazni, Afghanistan collapses amid heavy rainfall.