URGENT UPDATE: A catastrophic bridge collapse in China has left officials and citizens in shock just months after its opening. The incident occurred on November 11, 2025, when a section of the Shuangjiangkou Hongqi Bridge dramatically crumbled, sending debris plummeting into the air. Fortunately, the bridge was empty at the time, as authorities had closed it just one day prior due to alarming cracks detected on nearby roads.
This bridge, which spans 2,487 feet and connects Sichuan Province to Tibet, was part of a massive $399 million project that took 19 months to complete. The collapse raises urgent questions about safety and construction practices in a region notorious for seismic activity.
Reports from the Washington Post indicate that officials suspect a landslide triggered the collapse, affecting the roadbed and approach ramp. Local government representatives have announced a detour is already in place, but they have not provided a timeline for when the bridge may reopen.
The bridge was designed to withstand an 8.0-magnitude earthquake, as it was built in an area that experienced a devastating 7.9-magnitude earthquake in 2008, which resulted in over 69,000 fatalities. However, concerns have been raised regarding the bridge’s construction speed, with some experts suggesting that the recent opening of the nearby Shuangjiangkou Dam may have contributed to the instability. Despite these theories, there is currently no evidence linking the dam to the collapse.
The Hongqi Bridge was anticipated to serve as a vital infrastructure link, but its sudden failure has drawn parallels to other tragic bridge collapses, such as the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore and the Morandi Bridge in Genoa, Italy. Both incidents resulted in significant loss of life and raised serious safety concerns.
As investigations commence, officials are urging the public to stay clear of the area while the full extent of the damage and its causes are assessed. The situation remains fluid, and further updates are expected as authorities continue to respond to this alarming incident.
Stay tuned for more details on this developing story.
