Liputan6.com, Jakarta The Hongqi Bridge, a vital piece of infrastructure in Sichuan Province, southwest China, partially collapsed on Tuesday afternoon, November 11, 2025.
This incident happened near the Shuangjiangkou Hydropower Plant in Maerkang City.
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The collapse of the 758-meter-long bridge was triggered by a massive landslide caused by geological instability in the steep mountainous region.
The significantly deteriorating condition of the mountain slope on the day of the incident was the primary trigger for the natural disaster.
Despite the scale of the collapse, no casualties were reported in the incident.
How the Hongqi Bridge Collapse Happened
The Hongqi Bridge, an integral part of the national highway connecting central China and Tibet, began showing signs of instability on Monday, November 10, 2025.
Cracks in the slopes and surrounding roads, as well as shifts in the mountain terrain, were immediately detected by monitoring teams.
In response to these findings, authorities in Sichuan Province made the swift and appropriate decision to completely close the Hongqi Bridge to all traffic.
This preventive measure, taken on Monday afternoon, just one day before the collapse.
This crucial decision was crucial in ensuring that there were no fatalities in the Hongqi Bridge collapse.
When a massive landslide finally struck and partially destroyed the bridge structure and its approach road on Tuesday afternoon, the area was already free of any activities.
Design of the Newly Operated Hongqi Bridge
The Hongqi Bridge is more than just an ordinary bridge; it is a 758-meter-long masterpiece of modern engineering.
The bridge was designed as a two-lane cantilever beam bridge, standing approximately 625 meters above the ravine floor, with pylons reaching a height of 172 meters.
Built by the Sichuan Road & Bridge Group, the bridge had just been completed and opened to the public a few months before the incident.
Its construction aimed to improve connectivity and stimulate economic activity in China's mountainous western region, particularly between Sichuan and Tibet.
As a vital transportation route, the Hongqi Bridge was expected to facilitate the flow of goods and services and facilitate mobility for residents.
Investigation and Infrastructure Safety Issues
Initial investigations into the Hongqi Bridge collapse indicate that the primary cause was geological instability in the region.
Mountainous areas in Sichuan Province are known for their history of landslides.
The local government has confirmed that a more detailed technical investigation is underway to identify any structural or engineering defects that contributed to the disaster.
The results of the investigation are expected to shed more light on the incident.
The incident also echoes another high-profile infrastructure failure in China that occurred just a few months earlier.
In August, a railway bridge in Qinghai Province collapsed during construction, killing at least 12 workers.