What happened
On Tuesday, 11 November 2025, the Hongqi Bridge—a recently completed structure in southwest China’s Sichuan province—partially collapsed into the mountainside and river beneath. Fortunately, there are no reported casualties. Authorities say the 758-metre-long bridge was closed to traffic the day before the collapse after cracks appeared on adjacent slopes and roads. On Tuesday afternoon, shifting terrain and a landslide triggered the collapse of the approach ramp and roadbed, sending debris plummeting into the gorge below.
Bridge context: where and when
The Hongqi Bridge spans a mountainous stretch in Maerkang (also spelled Mê’erkang), Sichuan province, along a national highway that links inland China to Tibetan-adjacent regions. Construction was completed earlier in the year and the bridge opened to traffic in April 2025, making the collapse less than eight months after opening.
Why it collapsed: terrain, warning signs and speed
- Local government statements indicate the collapse was caused by a landslide which affected slope stability and undermined part of the bridge’s approach section.
- The day before collapse, officials observed cracks in the road and slope movement. The bridge had already been closed to traffic by that point.
- Some analysts point to the region’s seismic activity and the rapid pace of infrastructure development in mountainous terrain as contributing risk factors: the area was devastated by the 2008 Sichuan earthquake and remains geologically sensitive.
Implications & safety concerns
- The collapse raises questions about engineering oversight, construction quality and maintenance in China’s infrastructure push—especially in remote, geologically challenging zones.
- While no deaths or injuries have been reported thus far, the incident undermines public confidence and could prompt renewed scrutiny of other “newly completed” works across the region.
- It also carries broader economic implications: this highway route is strategic for connectivity between Sichuan and Tibet, and disruptions will delay travel, trade and logistics in the region.
What to watch next
- The official investigation: whether it finds design flaws, construction shortcuts or failure to account for terrain risk.
- How quickly repairs will be initiated and whether the bridge will be reopened in its current form—or require a major rebuild or redesign.
- Whether similar bridges in similarly challenging terrain will be inspected or closed temporarily for safety audits.
- How local and national media respond, and whether the failure triggers regulatory or procedural reforms in infrastructure construction oversight in China.
The takeaway
The partial collapse of the Hongqi Bridge is a dramatic reminder that even modern infrastructure projects can be fragile when built under pressure in difficult terrain. The fact that it failed so soon after opening—in a region noted for earthquake risk and landslides—suggests this may be a landmark case in how China balances ambition, speed and safety in its infrastructure drive.
