Hongqi Bridge collapses in Sichuan after landslide; no casualties as traffic was halted a day earlier

A newly completed span on China’s Hongqi Bridge in Maerkang, Sichuan partially collapsed on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, after a mountainside gave way—sending sections of the approach and roadway into a river valley. Authorities say no injuries or deaths have been reported because the bridge and its connecting highway had been closed to traffic on Monday when cracks and ground shifts appeared on nearby slopes.

What happened to the Hongqi Bridge

Local emergency notices describe a rapid deterioration from slope “instability” to a full landslide on Tuesday afternoon. As the hillside sheared off, debris slammed into the approach structure and adjacent roadbed, triggering a progressive failure that brought down multiple spans. Videos filmed from the opposite bank show a rolling dust cloud as piers tilt and a concrete deck segment crumples into the gorge.

Key facts so far:

• Location: National Highway G317, Maerkang (Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture), Sichuan.

• Scale: The crossing is roughly 758 meters long (about 2,500 feet).

• Status: Section collapsed; remaining structures and slopes are under inspection.

• Casualties: None reported; the preemptive closure cleared vehicles and pedestrians.

• Cause under review: Initial signs point to landslide forces rather than an isolated structural defect, but investigators will parse both geologic and engineering factors.

Why the bridge was closed before the collapse

On Monday, Nov. 10, road and police officials halted traffic after observing fresh cracks in the roadway, visible fissures on the mountain slope, and measurable ground movement above the bridge. That pause proved decisive: by the next day, the slope failure intensified into the event that destroyed the approach. Crews say all stranded vehicles were escorted out before nightfall, and barricades and warning signage were installed at multiple access points.

Landslide risk and new infrastructure in the Hengduan ranges

The Hongqi crossing sits along a corridor that threads through steep, fractured strata of western Sichuan—terrain prone to rain-triggered slides, rockfall, and seasonal freeze-thaw cycling. Even well-designed structures can be overwhelmed when an entire hillside shifts; failure modes in such settings often propagate from foundations and approach embankments rather than mid-span members. Investigators will examine:

• Recent precipitation and groundwater conditions, including any reservoir drawdown or impoundment changes that could alter pore pressures.

• Slope stabilization measures (retaining systems, drainage galleries, anchors) and whether they matched post-construction ground behavior.

• Instrumentation data, if installed, to reconstruct deformation rates in the hours and days before collapse.

• Load paths at the abutments and piers, especially where landslide debris impacted.

Impact on travel and logistics

• Highway G317: Traffic is being diverted to alternate routes; expect longer travel times between Sichuan’s interior and the Tibetan Plateau.

• Freight & tourism: Trucking firms face reroutes with added fuel and time costs; long-distance tour operators will adjust itineraries until a temporary crossing or shuttle system is in place.

• Safety cordon: Authorities have expanded exclusion zones around unstable slopes while geologists map secondary failure risks.

What investigators will look to confirm next

1. Primary trigger — Was the landslide driven mainly by hydrologic loading, seismic micro-events, construction-stage disturbances, or a combination?

2. Extent of hidden damage — Even intact spans may have foundation or bearing distress; load testing will wait until the slope is stabilized.

3. Remedial options — Choices range from rebuilding the approach with deeper foundations and improved drainage to relocating the alignment to a less exposed buttress.

4. Monitoring going forward — Expect denser arrays of inclinometers, extensometers, and radar-based slope monitoring before any reopening.

Big picture: speed vs. site conditions

The collapse will renew debate over how quickly major corridors are being pushed through some of China’s most geologically complex mountains. The emerging consensus in similar failures is that geotechnical controls—drainage, buttressing, and long-term slope surveillance—are as decisive as the bridge superstructure itself. Where hillsides are actively moving, operational intelligence (sensors, thresholds for automatic closures) can be the difference between a scare and a catastrophe.

What’s next

• Stability work first: Crews will clear debris only after geologists certify the slope is not at imminent risk of further collapse.

• Cause report: A preliminary technical brief is likely within days, followed by a full investigation in the weeks ahead.

• Detours & timelines: There is no announced reopening schedule. Interim fixes could include temporary bailey-type spans or expanded detours while a rebuild plan is designed.

This is a developing story. Details may be updated as engineers complete slope surveys and structural assessments.