Dramatic footage has emerged online showing the recent Hongqi Bridge in Sichuan, China, collapsing into a river due to a massive landslide. The incident occurred Tuesday afternoon, with the newly opened 758-meter bridge, a crucial part of a highway connecting central China to Tibet, being partially destroyed.
Authorities reported no casualties, thanks to a proactive closure of the bridge. Warning signs, including ground shifts and cracks on nearby slopes, were observed by engineers on Monday, prompting the closure of the bridge by Maerkang city police that afternoon.
By Tuesday, the deteriorating geological conditions led to a major landslide. This catastrophic event directly impacted the bridge’s roadbed and supporting infrastructure, causing its structural failure. Experts believe geological instability in the mountainous terrain, historically prone to landslides, was the primary trigger.
Completed earlier this year by the Sichuan Road & Bridge Group, the bridge’s sudden failure has sparked concern regarding the quality and durability of infrastructure in China’s western regions. A thorough technical investigation has been launched to pinpoint the exact cause, examining both geological factors and potential engineering deficiencies. This event echoes a recent railway bridge collapse in Qinghai province, underscoring persistent infrastructure safety challenges.