China’s Newly Built Hongqi Bridge Collapses Days After Cracks Detected

A newly constructed bridge in China’s Sichuan province, known as the Hongqi Bridge, partially collapsed on Tuesday, sending massive chunks of concrete into a river below and covering the valley in thick dust. The dramatic incident, caught on video, quickly went viral on Chinese social media, raising nationwide concerns about infrastructure safety in the region.

The Hongqi Bridge, spanning 758 meters, was part of a major national highway connecting central China to Tibet. Authorities had temporarily closed the bridge on Monday after local inspectors noticed cracks and minor ground shifts on the structure. Less than 24 hours later, the bridge gave way, collapsing into the gorge near the Shuangjiangku Hydropower Station in Maerkang city.

Fortunately, no casualties have been reported so far. Officials stated that early evacuation and closure of the highway prevented a potential tragedy. Preliminary investigations suggest that geological instability in the steep mountainous terrain might have played a major role in the collapse.

Experts have been dispatched to the site to conduct a technical assessment and determine whether design flaws or construction issues contributed to the disaster. A comprehensive safety review of nearby bridges and tunnels has also been initiated.

The Hongqi Bridge, which stood approximately 625 meters above the gorge floor, was completed earlier this year and opened to the public in September. It was a key link between Sichuan and the Tibetan Plateau, intended to boost trade, tourism, and accessibility in the region.

Local reports indicated that warning signs appeared during an inspection conducted around 5:25 pm on Monday. Authorities promptly launched an emergency response and evacuated the area. The bridge eventually collapsed around 3:00 pm the following day.

Officials have yet to announce when the affected section of the highway will reopen. Meanwhile, questions are being raised about quality control and safety monitoring in large-scale infrastructure projects, especially in areas prone to landslides and seismic activity.

The Hongqi Bridge collapse has reignited public debate on the durability of newly built structures in China, with many netizens calling for greater transparency in construction practices and stricter geological risk assessments before opening new infrastructure to the public.