UPDATE: A stunning bridge collapse in China has just been captured on video, sending shockwaves across social media and news platforms. The Shuangjiangkou Hongqi Bridge, which opened only months ago, dramatically collapsed on November 11, 2025, raising urgent concerns about safety and infrastructure in the region.
The collapse, which occurred in the province of Sichuan, was fortunately devoid of human casualties as the bridge was closed just one day prior. Authorities reported that the closure was due to visible cracks developing on adjacent roads and slopes. The bridge, measuring 2,487 feet in length and part of a key national highway linking Sichuan and Tibet, was built at a cost of $399 million and designed to withstand an 8.0-magnitude earthquake.
Footage of the incident shows the bridge disintegrating in a cloud of dust, with sections vanishing in mere seconds. Local officials have confirmed that a detour is in place, but questions linger about when or if the bridge will ever reopen.
According to the Washington Post, the cause of the collapse has been linked to a landslide that compromised the roadbed and approach ramp. While the region is known for seismic activity, local authorities are investigating other potential factors, including the recent completion of the Shuangjiangkou Dam, the world’s tallest hydroelectric power dam. Although there is currently no evidence linking the dam to the bridge’s collapse, concerns about construction practices and safety standards have been raised.
The New York Times reports that the fast pace of the bridge’s construction, which took just 19 months, has drawn scrutiny. Just days before cracks were observed, an opening ceremony was held for the Shuangjiangkou Dam, leading some experts to question whether its operations could have affected the bridge structurally.
This incident echoes past tragedies, including the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore in 2024, which resulted in six deaths, and the notorious Morandi Bridge disaster in Genoa, Italy, which claimed 43 lives in 2018.
As investigations continue, the implications of the Shuangjiangkou Hongqi Bridge collapse highlight the precarious state of infrastructure in one of China’s most seismically active regions. Residents and officials alike are left grappling with the urgent need for answers and accountability.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
