Kathmandu: A devastating landslide struck Sichuan Province, China, on Tuesday afternoon, destroying the newly opened Hongqi Bridge.
Viral videos circulating on social media show the dramatic collapse — a section of the mountainside sliding into the river, clouds of dust rising into the sky, and the bridge’s pillars crumbling one after another within seconds. A large portion of the 758-meter-long bridge was swept away into the river.
According to local authorities, there were no casualties reported. The bridge was part of a national highway connecting central China to Tibet. The disaster occurred near the Shuangjiangkou Hydropower Station close to Markang City.
Footage showed rocks tumbling into the river, followed by a massive dust plume, and then the ground beneath the bridge giving way — causing the entire span to collapse. Officials said cracks had been observed on nearby slopes and roads, signaling potential landslide activity. Fortunately, the bridge had been closed to traffic on Monday afternoon, preventing what could have been a major human tragedy.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the landslide was triggered by weakened steep slopes, made unstable by heavy rainfall and seismic activity in the region.
The Hongqi Bridge, built by Sichuan Road and Bridge Group, was completed earlier this year and had only recently opened for public use.
Debris from the landslide and the collapsed bridge has now spilled into the river, potentially disrupting water flow. Authorities have issued alerts in nearby areas and arranged alternative routes for travelers.
Sichuan Province has a history of landslides and infrastructure damage due to its mountainous terrain. The bridge was estimated to cost around 1.2 billion yuan (approximately USD 165 million).
