Hongqi Bridge Collapses Months After Opening

New Delhi, November 12, 2025: A dramatic video capturing the moment a section of the newly constructed Hongqi Bridge in Sichuan province, China, partially collapsed has rapidly gone viral, sparking global concern over infrastructure resilience in challenging terrain. The footage, which was widely shared across social media platforms, showed a large segment of the structure tumbling into the river below, just months after the bridge was completed.

Geological Instability Cited as Cause of Failure

The collapse of the 758-meter-long bridge, which is part of a national highway linking China’s heartland with Tibet, was officially attributed to geological instability and a series of massive landslides. Preliminary investigations suggest that the heavy rainfall and shifting terrain in the steep, mountainous region were the primary triggers for the disaster.

The local authorities in Maerkang city confirmed that cracks on nearby slopes and roads, along with visible shifts in the mountain terrain, were detected as early as Monday afternoon. Based on this intelligence, the bridge was closed to all traffic by the police, a precautionary measure that is credited with preventing what could have been a major loss of life. On Tuesday afternoon, the mountainside conditions worsened, triggering the landslide that ultimately destroyed the bridge’s approach structure and roadbed.

Also Read: Shah Rukh Khan’s Respect for Restaurant Staff Goes Viral

Precautionary Closure Prevents Casualties

The prompt action taken by local authorities has been widely praised. After the initial warning signs were spotted, the bridge was immediately sealed off and all stranded vehicles were evacuated. Because of this decisive emergency response, local officials were able to confirm that no casualties were reported in the catastrophic failure.

The viral video clearly showed the mountainside giving way, followed by massive chunks of rock and soil cascading down and engulfing the bridge’s foundation. The concrete pillars were seen tilting and falling within seconds, sending debris and a huge plume of dust into the air. This striking visual evidence has intensified the public debate regarding the engineering challenges faced in such seismically and geologically vulnerable areas.

Investigation Launched into Structural Integrity

While the collapse is primarily being blamed on natural geological events, a comprehensive technical investigation has been launched by local authorities. The full scope of the probe is intended to determine whether any design or construction flaws might have contributed to the failure of the newly opened structure. The incident has served as a stark reminder of the ongoing difficulties faced in balancing rapid infrastructure development with the tough natural conditions prevalent in China’s western regions.