UPDATE: A shocking bridge collapse in China has captured global attention after terrifying footage surfaced, revealing the dramatic failure of the Shuangjiangkou Hongqi Bridge on November 11, 2025. The bridge, which opened just months ago, collapsed in a cloud of dust, fortunately, while empty, as authorities had closed it the day prior due to visible cracks.
The Hongqi Bridge, part of a national highway connecting Sichuan to Tibet, spans 2,487 feet and was a significant infrastructure project, costing an estimated $399 million and taking 19 months to construct. The collapse has raised urgent questions about safety protocols and the bridge’s design, which was intended to endure seismic activity.
Authorities confirmed that a detour is now in place for travelers, but the timeline for the bridge’s reopening remains unclear. The region is known for its seismic risks, having previously experienced a devastating 7.9-magnitude earthquake in 2008 that resulted in over 69,000 deaths.
Officials from local government have attributed the collapse to a landslide that “caused the collapse of the roadbed and approach ramp in that section.” However, speculation grows around other factors that may have contributed. Concerns have been raised about the construction speed, as well as the recent inauguration of the Shuangjiangkou Dam, the world’s tallest hydroelectric power dam. While there is no current evidence linking the dam to the bridge’s failure, the timing of events has sparked widespread discussion.
Witnesses described the scene as terrifying, with large sections of the bridge disappearing within seconds. Videos circulating on social media have gone viral, displaying the moment of collapse, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The Sichuan Road & Bridge Group built the Hongqi Bridge with a cable-stayed design meant to withstand up to an 8.0 earthquake. Yet, with the area’s history of geological instability, the incident raises critical questions about infrastructure safety standards and oversight in seismic zones.
This incident echoes recent tragedies in bridge engineering, such as the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore in 2024, which resulted in the loss of six construction workers, and the Morandi Bridge disaster in Genoa, Italy, in 2018, which claimed 43 lives.
As investigations continue, authorities are working quickly to assess the damage and ensure the safety of surrounding infrastructure. The situation remains developing, and updates are expected as officials gather more information on the causes of this catastrophic event.
Stay tuned for more urgent updates on this breaking news story.
