(TMZ) -- Part of the Oscars stage was left in shambles Sunday morning when a prop crashed down during rehearsals ... and TMZ got this photo of the damage.
The accident happened around 11:30 AM on the stage at the Dolby Theatre -- just hours before the award show was set to begin. TMZ was told host Jimmy Kimmel was working out a skit at the time, but was off the stage.
The props, which appear to be skyscraper models, tumbled over and crushed a camera. TMZ told no one was injured though. One witness described it as making a "horrifying sound" as it tore down the curtain.
The show is set to begin at 5:30 PM PT ... so TMZ is guessing there's a lot of scrambling going on to get things fixed. TMZ got a call in to the Oscars and ABC ... no word back yet.
See the photo below.
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Photo: Getty Images