A Canadian tourist accidentally killed an elderly Chinese woman at the Great Wall on Wednesday, according to local police, who said the woman had died after being knocked over on stairs.

The incident at one of China's top tourist attractions happened around noon local time, according to a police statement posted to the official microblog account of the Huairou District, a northern Beijing district where the section of the Great Wall is located.

A 38-year-old Canadian woman, identified only as Fortin, was coming down the stairs when she knocked over a 73-year-old Chinese woman, identified only by her surname, Cui, according to the statement.

Cui fell to the ground and later died.

Initial investigation has deemed the fatal incident an accident, according to the statement, and police continue to investigate.

The Canadian Embassy in Beijing is providing consular services to a Canadian citizen in China, the Department of Foreign Affairs told CBC News Friday. Consular officials are also in contact with local authorities for further information.

"To protect the privacy of the individual concerned, further details on this case cannot be released," the department said.