Tofu-Dreg Disaster? China’s Pride Bridge Collapses After 10 Months

"Tofu-Dreg Disaster? China’s Pride Bridge Collapses After 10 Months

On November 11, 2025, the Hongqi Grand Bridge in Sichuan’s Aba Prefecture collapsed in a terrifying spectacle. Dubbed the “Bridge Among the Clouds” for its 172-meter-high piers, the 758-meter marvel had only opened in April. A massive landslide triggered the disaster, snapping the right-bank approach span and sending 130 meters of concrete plunging into the Jiaomuzu River. Smartphone footage captured the horrifying moment twisted steel, cascading boulders, and a towering dust plume that swallowed the sky. Local authorities had imposed traffic controls the previous day after discovering cracks, miraculously preventing casualties. Built as part of the Shuangjiangkou Hydropower reservoir project, the bridge symbolized China’s high-altitude engineering prowess. Yet its sudden failure has reignited “tofu-dreg” accusations, with netizens questioning construction quality and environmental impacts from the dam. Experts are investigating, but the haunting image of billowing dust lingers as a stark warning."