Hongqi Bridge Collapse

• A major infrastructural failure occurred on 11 November 2025 when the recently built Hongqi Bridge in China’s Sichuan province collapsed following a series of landslides. The bridge, located in Maerkang , was a crucial connector between Sichuan, central China, and the Tibetan Plateau. Fortunately, no casualties occurred because authorities had closed the bridge earlier after detecting abnormal ground movement.

How the Incident Unfolded

• The collapse took place after the unstable mountainside above the bridge released multiple landslides. Large volumes of rock and soil fell directly onto the structure, causing a major segment of the 758-metre bridge to snap and plunge into the river below. Visuals from the site showed sections of the deck breaking apart, with the approach road and nearby slopes also severely damaged.

Warnings and Preventive Measures

• Inspections carried out a day earlier revealed cracks forming on surrounding slopes and nearby roads. These warning signs indicated rising geological stress, prompting engineers to halt traffic and declare the bridge unsafe. By the next day, the instability intensified, culminating in the landslides that destroyed the bridge. The early closure is credited with preventing loss of life.

Preliminary Technical Assessments

• The Hongqi Bridge, completed earlier in 2025 by the Sichuan Road & Bridge Group , was part of a broader national highway project aimed at enhancing mobility across China’s mountainous west. Initial findings suggest that while the landslides were the direct cause, potential structural weaknesses or insufficient slope monitoring may have worsened the collapse. Investigators are now examining construction standards, geological surveys, and long-term slope management practices.

Impact on Regional Connectivity

• The incident has disrupted an important transportation corridor essential for both passenger travel and freight movement . Authorities are evaluating alternate routes and initiating plans for reconstruction. Additional monitoring has also been ordered for other vulnerable slopes along the highway.

Key Exam Points

• Bridge length: 758 metres

• Part of Sichuan–Tibet highway corridor

• Closed before collapse due to detected cracks and ground movement

• Cause: Landslides from unstable mountainside

• No casualties due to timely closure