A newly opened bridge in China’s Sichuan province partially collapsed on Tuesday after landslides, with no injuries reported. The Hongqi Bridge, which had only been open for about two months, gave way, raising questions about the safety of recent infrastructure projects in the region.
On Tuesday afternoon, November 11, 2025, the Hongqi Bridge in southwestern China’s Sichuan province partially collapsed. Video footage shared on social media showed a massive dust cloud enveloping the area as sections of the bridge fell into the gorge below. The collapse was triggered by landslides on the mountainous terrain where the bridge is located, following warnings of instability from authorities.
The Hongqi Bridge is a 758-meter long structure that forms part of a national highway connecting China’s interior with Tibet. It was officially opened to the public on September 28, 2025, after completion earlier this year. The bridge spans a deep gorge, with a height of 625 meters from the base to the bottom of the valley, making it a significant engineering feat in a challenging geographical area.
Prior to the collapse, the bridge was closed on Monday afternoon due to cracks appearing on nearby slopes and shifts in the terrain. Authorities had been monitoring the situation, but conditions deteriorated rapidly on Tuesday, leading to landslides that caused the approach bridge and roadbed to give way. This sequence of events suggests that geological factors, such as soil instability and heavy rainfall, played a key role in the incident.
Fortunately, no casualties have been reported, likely because the area was evacuated or traffic was minimal at the time of the collapse. The local government has cordoned off the site and is conducting investigations to determine the exact cause. The collapse has disrupted travel on this key highway route, which is vital for economic and strategic connections to Tibet, potentially affecting logistics and local communities.
The bridge is situated near the Shuangjiangku Hydropower Station, which is under construction on the Dadu River. When completed, this dam will be the tallest in the world, underscoring the region’s importance for infrastructure development. However, the area is known for its geological instability, which may have been underestimated in the bridge’s design and construction, highlighting the risks of building in seismically active zones.
This event raises concerns about the rapid pace of infrastructure construction in China, particularly in challenging environments like mountainous regions. Similar past incidents have prompted reviews of safety standards and engineering practices, emphasizing the need for thorough risk assessments and continuous monitoring to prevent such failures in the future.
Authorities are now assessing the damage and planning repairs, but it is unclear how long the highway will remain closed. The incident may lead to stricter regulations and more rigorous inspections for new infrastructure projects, potentially slowing down development but enhancing long-term safety and reliability.
