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China Bridge Collapse Over Yellow River Kills 12
A major accident occurred in Qinghai province, northwest China, when part of the under-construction Jianzha Yellow River Bridge collapsed on August 22, 2025. The collapse happened around 3 a.m. during a tensioning operation, when a steel cable reportedly snapped. At least 12 workers were killed, while four others remain missing.
Scale of the Project
The Jianzha Yellow River Bridge is designed as a continuous steel truss arch structure, stretching nearly 1.6 km with a deck rising 55 meters above the river. Once completed, it was expected to be the world’s largest double-track continuous steel truss arch bridge over the Yellow River. The project was scheduled to finish later this year as part of the Sichuan–Qinghai railway expansion.
Rescue and Recovery Efforts
Rescue operations began immediately after the collapse, involving helicopters, boats, and robotic search equipment. Images from the site showed a large section of the bridge’s arch caved in, with parts of the deck bent and hanging over the river. Authorities are working to retrieve the missing workers while investigating the cause of the failure.
Safety Concerns Raised
The incident has renewed debate over construction safety standards in China. Experts suggest that high-tension cable operations during bridge construction carry significant risk, and lapses in monitoring or design flaws can lead to catastrophic outcomes. The government is expected to order a detailed inquiry into the accident before construction resumes.
