Watch: Moment massive 200m bridge collapses into river in southwest China
Footage circulating on China social media has captured the shocking moment a newly built bridge collapsed at a hydropower station in Sichuan Province, southwest China, sending tonnes of concrete and steel plunging into a river below.
The Hongqi Bridge, located in the mountainous Marking region of Barkam County, gave way on Tuesday afternoon, just months after it officially opened, according to Chinese state media.
Cracks detected hours before collapse
Local officials told the Global Times that no casualties had been reported, though an investigation is now underway.
Authorities said cracks were detected a day earlier on the bridge’s surface and the surrounding slope, prompting temporary traffic controls before the structure gave way.
The collapse occurred at around 3pm local time near the G317 national highway, according to China Central Television (CCTV) News.
Video clips widely shared online show the bridge buckling at its midpoint before collapsing into the gorge, creating a massive dust cloud that blanketed the surrounding valley.
Structural warnings ignored
Officials from local transportation and public security bureaus said the right bank slope of the bridge showed visible deformation on Monday afternoon, just hours before the collapse.
A public notice had been issued warning of “potential safety risks,” and the bridge was closed to traffic shortly before it fell.
Despite the early precautions, images posted on Weibo the Chinese social media platform showed widespread damage, with debris scattered across the river and rescue teams deployed to assess the scene.
A symbol of ambition turned to rubble
The Hongqi Bridge was part of the G317 national highway project, a critical route linking central China to Tibet. Stretching 758 meters (2,487 feet) in length and standing 625 meters above the gorge floor, it was one of the region’s most striking new engineering projects.
The bridge’s towering 172, meter piers and cantilevered two lane beam design were intended to showcase China’s advances in infrastructure and construction technology.
Built by the state backed Sichuan Road & Bridge Group, the project formed part of Beijing’s wider initiative to boost economic growth and connectivity across western China’s rugged and remote terrain.
Short-lived success
Completed and opened earlier this year, the Hongqi Bridge was celebrated as a symbol of modern engineering success in the region until this week’s collapse turned it into a reminder of the risks associated with rapid infrastructure expansion.
Authorities have yet to release details on the cause, though preliminary reports suggest structural instability and geological movement may have played a role.
The bridge had been seen as a major step forward in China’s push to modernize the Tibetan Plateau’s transport network, connecting isolated mountain towns to major trade routes.
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Investigation underway
Officials from Barkam County and the Sichuan provincial government have dispatched expert teams to the site. Engineers are now conducting stability assessments on nearby sections of the highway to ensure no further risks remain.
State broadcaster CCTV said no vehicles were on the bridge at the time of the collapse thanks to prior safety closures.
The incident has sparked renewed scrutiny of China’s infrastructure safety standards, especially in mountainous areas where rapid construction often faces challenging geological conditions.
