Steel Arch Bridge Fails During Construction in China Claiming 12 Lives

A devastating collapse of a railway bridge under construction in northwest China’s Qinghai Province claimed the lives of at least 12 workers, with four still reported missing. The incident occurred in the early hours of August 22 during a tensioning operation, when officials said a steel cable snapped, causing a massive support structure to plummet into the Yellow River. At the time of the accident, 16 workers were on site.

Emergency teams launched a large-scale rescue effort involving more than 800 personnel, 27 boats, one helicopter, and five robots. Injured workers were transported to six hospitals in the region. China’s Ministry of Emergency Management immediately dispatched a task force to oversee rescue operations and initiate an investigation into the structural failure.

The bridge, designed as a steel arch structure with its deck positioned 55 meters above the river, was a major component of the Sichuan-Qinghai railway. Construction was nearing completion, with the main span scheduled to be finalized by the end of August.

This tragedy has raised urgent questions regarding construction safety practices and structural monitoring. As China continues its extensive infrastructure development, ensuring robust quality controls and reliable engineering oversight remains central to preventing similar incidents. The investigation into the collapse is ongoing.

Check out the following video for footage of the tragic bridge collapse.