Proceedings at the Scottish Parliament have been suspended after part of the roof of the main chamber collapsed.
MSPs have been told a structural engineer has been called in to advise on the state of the ceiling structure in the Ј430m building.
First Minister's Question Time was postponed as a result.
It is understood that a 12ft-long wooden beam supporting the roof of the debating chamber broke free. No-one was injured in the incident.
MSPs had been involved in a debate on Scottish Water at the time.
Deputy Presiding Officer Murray Tosh interrupted speeches to say he had been advised to clear members from the floor area beneath.
The section where the beam fell is normally occupied by Tory MSPs, but there were few members listening to the debate from there at the time.
The press gallery was also cleared.
Mr Tosh told MSPs: "Let me just explain for the members of the public in the gallery who were largely not here 25-30 minutes ago, that a piece of beam in the corner fell down."
He added: "We are urgently assessing the position at the moment to decide whether it is safe to proceed.
"It may be that the suspension I have announced will be a brief one until we can clarify the position and it may be that it will be longer than that and we will advise you as quickly as we can."
(BBC)
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