Massive Chinese bridge crumbles just months after debut

The Hongqi Bridge in Sichuan province collapsed after authorities detected dangerous rock deformation and slope cracks along the structure

A newly constructed bridge in southwest China collapsed into a reservoir just months after opening to traffic, with video footage capturing the dramatic moment the massive structure plunged into the water below. The Hongqi Bridge, measuring 758 meters in length, fell on Tuesday after authorities detected dangerous structural issues that developed rapidly over the preceding hours.

The bridge, located in Maerkang City in Sichuan province, served as a vital link along National Highway 317, connecting the region to Tibet. The structure spanned an impressive gorge carved by the Dadu River and the reservoir formed behind the Shuangjiangkou Dam, making it a critical transportation route for the area.

Warning signs emerged hours before disaster

The catastrophic failure did not occur without warning. Authorities first detected slope deformation near the bridge at 5:25 p.m. on Monday, November 10, prompting immediate concern about the structure’s stability. The deformation was attributed to cracks and shifts in the surrounding rock formations that supported the bridge’s foundations.

Officials moved swiftly to address the escalating situation, working through the evening to evacuate the area and secure the site. By 11 p.m. on Monday, the bridge had been completely shut down and all vehicles that had been on the structure were cleared from the area. Traffic notices were distributed and warning signs were erected around the site to prevent anyone from approaching the dangerous zone.

Rapid deterioration leads to complete failure

Despite the quick response from authorities, the situation continued to deteriorate overnight. By Tuesday morning, cracks had appeared on slopes and roadways along the right bank of the bridge, signaling that the structural integrity had been severely compromised. The visible damage indicated that the underlying geological issues were more severe than initially assessed.

The collapse itself occurred later on Tuesday, with a landslide triggering the final failure. A substantial section of the 758-meter bridge crumbled and fell into the dam below, creating a massive cloud of dust and sending debris flying in all directions. The footage of the collapse quickly spread across social media platforms, showing the moment the engineering structure gave way.

No casualties reported in incident

In what authorities described as fortunate timing, no injuries were reported as a result of the collapse. The decision to evacuate and close the bridge on Monday evening proved crucial in preventing what could have been a tragic loss of life. All individuals who had been in the vicinity were safely removed before the structure failed.

The absence of casualties stands in stark contrast to the scale of the destruction, with the entire bridge section now resting in the waters of the reservoir below. The successful evacuation demonstrated the effectiveness of the rapid response protocol implemented by local authorities once the initial warning signs were detected.

Investigation into recent construction begins

Questions are now mounting about how a newly completed bridge could fail so catastrophically just months after opening to the public. The structure had been finished earlier this year as part of the National Highway 317 project, which was designed to improve connectivity between Sichuan province and Tibet.

Engineers and authorities will need to investigate whether the collapse was due to inadequate geological surveys before construction, design flaws, construction defects or unforeseen environmental factors affecting the rock formations. The rapid progression from initial deformation to complete collapse in less than 24 hours suggests significant underlying issues with either the geological assessment or the bridge’s foundation design.

Transportation disruption impacts region

The collapse has severed a major transportation link between Sichuan and Tibet, though authorities have not yet announced a timeline for when the highway might reopen. The National Highway 317 serves as an important route for both commercial traffic and travelers, and the loss of this bridge will require either lengthy detours or the construction of a replacement structure.

Local officials are working to assess alternative routes and implement traffic management plans to minimize disruption while determining the next steps. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges involved in building large-scale infrastructure projects in mountainous regions with complex geology.