On November 11, 2025, in southwestern China's Sichuan Province, the newly constructed Hongqi Bridge, part of the G317 national highway linking the country's central regions with the Tibetan Plateau, collapsed. The incident occurred near the city of Markang due to severe landslides triggered by deteriorating weather conditions on the mountainside, local authorities reported.

The 758-meter-long bridge, built in early 2025 by Sichuan Road & Bridge Group, collapsed along with an adjacent section of road, sending concrete and steel structures tumbling into a gorge. Video published by Reuters captured the moment of collapse, with a cloud of dust and debris falling into the river below. There have been no official reports of casualties, although rescue efforts are ongoing. Local residents report the road is closed and surrounding villages are being evacuated.

The collapse was caused by ground instability: the landslides worsened after rains, as confirmed by the contractor. This isn't the first such incident: in 2023, a bridge collapsed in Yunnan Province due to mudslides, claiming 36 lives. Experts are criticizing the rush to build infrastructure in seismically prone areas, despite government assurances that standards are being met.

The G317 highway is a vital supply line to Tibet, and its damage could disrupt logistics. Chinese media are calling for inspections of other facilities, and the government has promised an investigation. For now, traffic remains blocked, and alternative routes are congested.