A part of the recently inaugurated Hongqi Bridge in Southwest China’s Sichuan province collapsed and crumbled into the river below, news agency Reuters reported, citing local authorities.
As per authorities,
the Hongqi Bridge, situated along a national highway connecting the country’s heartland with Tibet, collapsed in the afternoon. Fortunately, there have been no reports of casualties from the incident.
As per videos shared on social media platforms, a part of the bridge at the local Shuangjiangkou Hydropower Station can be seen crumbling into the river below.
As per visuals, a large cloud of dust and debris rises as the hillside begins to give way. Soon, the landslide intensifies with tons of rock and soil engulfing the base of the bridge. The superstructure then starts to buckle under the force. Within moments, a large section of the bridge collapses, with concrete pillars tilting as the slope beneath them disintegrates.
JUST IN: 🇨🇳 Hongqi bridge collapses in southwest China, months after opening. pic.twitter.com/EK3YcWEjUy
— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) November 11, 2025
Earlier on Monday (local time), police in Maerkang closed the 758-meter-long Hongqi bridge to all traffic after identifying cracks on nearby slopes and roads. They also noted shifts in the mountain terrain, signaling potential structural concerns.
The following day, the approach to the bridge and its roadbed gave way, causing landslides.
Preliminary assessments suggest that a massive landslide triggered by geological instability in the steep mountain terrain caused the disaster. Rescue and emergency response teams were reportedly dispatched to the site to assess casualties and damage, though details are still emerging.
(With inputs from agencies)
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