Video: Hongqi Bridge in South China collapses months after opening
What's the story
A section of the newly constructed Hongqi Bridge in China's Sichuan province collapsed on Tuesday. The bridge, which opened only a few months ago, was located along a national highway connecting China's heartland to Tibet. A video shared on the social media platform X shows the dramatic moment when the bridge gave way, sending large sections crashing into the river below.
Aftermath
Video shows hillside giving way first, then the bridge collapsing
The video shows the hillside giving way, followed by clouds of dust and debris. Huge masses of soil and rock then cascade down, swallowing the bridge's foundation. Within moments, concrete pillars buckle and fall, sending a large part of the structure plunging into the river. No casualties have been reported so far from this incident.
Twitter Post
Video of moment the bridge
JUST IN: 🇨🇳 Hongqi bridge collapses in southwest China, months after opening. pic.twitter.com/EK3YcWEjUy
— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) November 11, 2025
Precautionary measures
Police closed bridge after noticing cracks on nearby slopes
On Monday, police in Maerkang had closed the 758-meter-long bridge to traffic after noticing cracks on nearby slopes and roads. Visible shifts in the surrounding mountain terrain were also observed. On Tuesday afternoon, the approach bridge and roadbed collapsed, triggering landslides. Local authorities have confirmed the incident and are now investigating the cause of the collapse. They are also monitoring the site for further instability.