A section of the newly constructed Hongqi Bridge in Sichuan province, China, collapsed on November 11, 2025, just months after its official opening. The incident occurred when part of the bridge gave way into a gorge, following a landslide that affected the surrounding terrain.

The 758-meter bridge, part of the G317 national highway linking central China to Tibet, had been completed earlier in 2025 by the Sichuan Road & Bridge Group. It was designed to help facilitate transportation in the region, but concerns about its structural integrity had already arisen prior to the collapse. The approach ramp and roadbed failed after shifting due to unstable slopes around the bridge, a result of the landslide.

Fortunately, no casualties were reported. At the time of the collapse, there were no vehicles or pedestrians on the structure, as authorities had closed the bridge the previous day, November 10, after discovering cracks in the road surface and signs of instability in the surrounding slopes.

The Hongqi Bridge collapse raises questions about the safety and durability of infrastructure projects in regions with challenging geographical conditions. The bridge’s sudden failure so soon after its opening has led to a call for investigations into whether proper geological surveys and safeguards were in place during its construction. There are concerns about the rapid pace of infrastructure development in the region, where mountain terrain and potential natural disasters like landslides complicate the building process.

The collapse has also disrupted the G317 route, which serves as a critical transportation link between Sichuan and Tibet. Rerouting plans and repairs are underway as the authorities work to assess the damage and plan for recovery.

The situation has drawn attention to the importance of ensuring that infrastructure projects in geologically unstable areas undergo rigorous safety checks and are equipped to handle the environmental challenges they may face.

Sources: Reuters, NDTV, Washington Post