A breathtaking partial collapse of the massive 758-meter Hongqi Bridge in Sichuan province unfolded on Tuesday afternoon, with enormous sections of concrete plunging into the river below and generating a towering plume of dust that engulfed the area. The incident, dramatically captured on video and rapidly going viral across social media platforms, occurred on the G317 national highway, a vital artery linking central China to the Tibetan Plateau.

Local authorities reported no casualties, thanks to a proactive closure of the bridge on Monday after routine inspections at 5:25 pm revealed alarming cracks and ground shifts on the right bank near Maerkang city. The collapse struck around 3:00 pm close to the Shuangjiangku Hydropower Station, and initial assessments attribute the disaster to geological instability in the rugged, steep mountainous terrain.

Completed earlier this year and officially opened to the public in September, the engineering marvel stood an impressive 625 meters above the gorge floor, significantly improving connectivity to the remote Tibetan region. An emergency response was immediately activated, ensuring full evacuation and area security before the structure gave way.

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A comprehensive technical investigation is now underway to examine whether design flaws, construction errors, or natural factors were primarily responsible. State media confirmed the highway remains indefinitely shut, with no estimated reopening date as engineers evaluate the remaining sections for safety.

The viral footage has ignited intense public scrutiny over infrastructure quality in China’s high-risk, high-altitude projects. As experts analyze the failure, officials are focused on reinforcing safety protocols to prevent similar incidents and restore trust in critical national transport networks.

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