A major bridge in southwest China has suffered a partial collapse, mere months after its grand opening, sending a massive cloud of dust into the mountain air.
Bridge Collapse Details and Immediate Aftermath
The incident involved the 758-metre-long Hongqi bridge in Maerkang city, located in Sichuan province. Dramatic footage captured a section of the structure crashing down, kicking up a huge plume of smoke next to a mountain.
Authorities confirmed there were no casualties from the collapse. Reports indicate that one truck was on the bridge at the time, but the driver was successfully rescued from the scene.
Precursors to the Disaster and Official Response
The collapse did not occur without warning. Police had closed the bridge to traffic on Monday afternoon after cracks were discovered on nearby shops and roads. The local government also noted visible shifts in the mountain terrain.
The situation deteriorated on Tuesday afternoon. Continuous heavy rainfall triggered landslides, which ultimately caused the approach bridge and roadbed to give way. The bridge's construction, handled by the contractor Sichuan Road & Bridge Group, had only been completed earlier this year.
Investigation and Strategic Importance
An official investigation into the cause of the collapse has been launched. The bridge forms a critical part of a highway link connecting China's heartland with the Tibet region, raising significant questions about the integrity of this vital infrastructure project.
The swift closure of the bridge likely prevented a far greater tragedy, but the event casts a shadow over the construction standards and geological assessments for major new builds in challenging terrain.
