Shocking Moment 758-Meter-Long Bridge Collapses Just Months After Opening

Newly surfaced video shows the dramatic moment a 758-meter-long bridge suddenly gave way in southwest China, breaking apart in a huge collapse that stunned the region.

The Hongqi Bridge in Maerkang City, Sichuan, forms part of National Highway 317, a key route that links the province to Tibet. The roadway crossed a deep gorge carved out by the Dadu River and the reservoir backed up behind the Shuangjiangkou Dam.

Authorities later confirmed the structure failed because the surrounding rock had cracked and started to deform, undermining the support beneath the bridge and causing the entire section to fall through.

Officials first noticed the slope shifting at around 5:25 p.m. on Monday (November 10). Once the issue was spotted, crews quickly closed the area to keep people safe. By 11 p.m., the bridge had been fully evacuated and every vehicle stuck on it had been left behind as part of the emergency response.

Warning signs were put in place, and traffic alerts were sent out across the region, according to Sichuan Daily, as local teams worked to keep people away from the danger zone.

The bridge itself had only been completed earlier this year, making the sudden failure even more concerning for residents and travelers who relied on the route.

The bridge was completed earlier this year, according to reports Zhang Jingfeng/VCG via Getty Images

The collapse unfolded the next day, Tuesday (November 11). China Daily reported that visible cracks had started forming along the slopes and roadway on the right side of the bridge, raising fears that the land beneath it was giving way.

Moments later, a landslide pushed part of the bridge off its supports, sending the entire section crashing into the dam’s reservoir below and kicking up a massive cloud of dust and debris.

The dramatic footage spread across social media soon afterward. Authorities later confirmed that no injuries were reported, thanks to the quick evacuation the night before.

Reports also stated that the bridge had only been open for a few short months before the disaster, making it unclear when repairs might start or when the highway could reopen to traffic.

China is known for building record-breaking bridges, and just earlier this year the country managed to surpass its own record for the highest bridge in the world.

The Huajiang Canyon Bridge in Guizhou stretches across the Beipan River as it winds through the steep and dramatic Huajiang Canyon.

The bridge stands an incredible 2,051 feet above the gorge floor, a height so extreme that it nearly doubles the height of New York’s Empire State Building, which reaches 1,454 feet including its spire and antenna.

This massive $280 million project has transformed local travel, cutting what used to be a 90-minute journey down to just 90 seconds, all while offering some of the most breathtaking views in the region.

Travelers crossing the structure now get an experience that combines convenience, speed, and scenery in one trip.

For visitors who have no reason to drive over it but still want a thrill, the bridge also doubles as a bungee-jumping site. This addition was introduced by local authorities to help boost tourism in the area.

A calmer option is available too. Visitors can take in sweeping views of the canyon and surrounding countryside from a purpose-built viewing platform near the bridge.

Before this project, the tallest bridge record in China belonged to the Beipanjiang Bridge, which opened back in 2016 and held the title for several years.

Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in Guizhou Qu Honglun/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images

Located between Guizhou and Yunnan provinces, the Beipanjiang Bridge rises 565.4 meters above the Beipan River valley, making it another engineering achievement for the region.

China also holds the world record for the longest bridge. Jiangsu Province has claimed that title since 2010 with the Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge.

Stretching 164.8 kilometers long, the massive structure connects the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway between Danyang and Kunshan, making it a key part of China’s high-speed rail network.