A colossal bridge situated at a hydropower station in gave way on Tuesday, with its concrete and steel plummeting into a river mere months after its inauguration, as reported by Chinese state media.

Reuters stated that an official from Barkam County verified the collapse to the state-controlled Global Times, confirming that no casualties were reported.

The report further noted that cracks had been observed on the bridge’s road surface and slope a day prior, leading officials to impose .

Videos of the collapse, which circulated extensively on Chinese social media, depicted the Hongqi Bridge in Sichuan Province deforming before its descent into the river below, generating a substantial dust cloud.

China Central Television (CCTV) News reported that the event took place approximately 3 p.m. local time, in proximity to the G317 national highway.

Officials from local transportation and public security departments stated that the bridge’s right-bank slope exhibited signs of deformation on Monday afternoon, only hours preceding the collapse.

Authorities promptly to all traffic and released a public notice cautioning about potential safety risks.

Times Now reported that the Hongqi Bridge was situated in Sichuan Province’s mountainous Maerkang region and had been finished earlier this year as a component of the G317 national highway, a vital link between central China and Tibet.

The two-lane, cantilevered beam bridge, stretching 758 meters, was positioned approximately 625 meters above the gorge floor, featuring piers that ascended to 172 meters. Its construction was undertaken by the state-supported Sichuan Road & Bridge Group, aiming to enhance access to the Tibetan Plateau.

Times Now indicated that the bridge’s construction formed part of a wider government initiative to boost connectivity and stimulate economic development throughout western China’s challenging topography.

Designed to symbolize the nation’s infrastructure aspirations, it had only become operational to traffic a few months prior to its collapse, signifying a brief existence for what was meant to demonstrate China’s engineering advancements.

Government-controlled media outlets have not yet determined the reason for the collapse, although initial evaluations indicate may have contributed. Officials stated that no vehicles or pedestrians were present on the bridge during the incident, and inquiries are currently in progress.

This report includes contributions from Reuters.