UPDATE: A dramatic bridge collapse in China has sent shockwaves through the nation just months after its grand opening. Video footage captured the moment the Shuangjiangkou Hongqi Bridge crumbled in a cloud of dust on November 11, 2025, raising urgent questions about safety and infrastructure integrity.
The bridge, which spans approximately 2,487 feet, was part of a crucial national highway connecting Sichuan Province and Tibet. Fortunately, the structure was empty at the time of the collapse, as authorities had closed it the previous day due to alarming cracks detected on adjacent roadways and slopes.
The $399 million bridge, constructed over a span of 19 months by the Sichuan Road & Bridge Group, was designed to withstand seismic activity, boasting a cable-stayed design meant to endure up to an 8.0 magnitude earthquake. However, its location in one of China’s most seismically active regions raises concerns, particularly given the devastating 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the area in 2008, claiming over 69,000 lives.
Local government officials have attributed the collapse to a landslide that compromised the roadbed and approach ramp, according to reports by the Washington Post. Just days prior to the incident, the nearby Shuangjiangkou Dam, the world’s tallest hydroelectric power dam, held an opening ceremony, igniting speculation about potential links to the bridge’s structural failure. However, as of now, no evidence has confirmed that the dam played any role in the disaster.
This catastrophic event has not only raised alarms about the bridge’s construction but also about the broader implications for infrastructure safety in high-risk areas. The New York Times reports that a detour is already in place, but officials are unable to provide a timeline for when the bridge will be reopened.
The Hongqi Bridge collapse is reminiscent of other tragic bridge failures in recent history, including the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore in 2024, which resulted in the deaths of six construction workers, and the Morandi Bridge in Genoa, Italy, which collapsed in 2018, claiming 43 lives.
As investigations continue, residents and officials alike are left grappling with the implications of this alarming event. The urgent call for enhanced safety measures has never been more critical. Stay tuned as we follow this developing story and its impact on the community and infrastructure policies across the nation.
