You wouldn’t believe it unless you saw it.
A brand-new bridge in China’s Sichuan province—built to connect central China to Tibet—collapsed just weeks after it opened, sending massive chunks of concrete crashing into a river below.
The now-viral video shows dust, panic, and disbelief as one of China’s newest national highway projects, the Hongqi Bridge, suddenly gave way on Tuesday, November 11.
🏗 What Happened
Local media reported that the 758-meter-long Hongqi Bridge was shut down a day before the collapse, after engineers noticed cracks and strange ground movement near the bridge’s right bank.
Authorities in Maerkang city acted quickly, launching an emergency response and evacuating nearby areas. Still, at around 3:00 PM local time, part of the bridge snapped and plunged into the river below.
Luckily, no one was killed or injured—a miracle considering how high the bridge stood, nearly 625 meters above the gorge floor.
🔍 Why It Collapsed
Officials say the likely cause was geological instability—the area sits on steep, shifting mountain terrain.
But a technical investigation is now underway to see whether design or construction issues also played a role.
The bridge, part of the G317 national highway, had opened in September 2025, just two months before the collapse.
🚧 What Happens Next
The entire highway remains closed indefinitely while experts assess the damage.
Nearby hydropower stations and roads have also been inspected for possible risks.
China Daily reports that it could be months before the route reopens—a blow to the region’s transport plans meant to make travel between Sichuan and Tibet faster and safer.
💬 The Bigger Picture
This collapse has sparked fresh debate over China’s rapid infrastructure boom.
Many online are asking how such a massive project—finished only recently—could fail so fast.
For now, the viral video stands as a stark reminder: even the biggest engineering achievements can crumble in seconds.
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