A portion of a newly built bridge in southwest China's Sichuan province collapsed on Monday.
According to local authorities, the bridge is located on a national highway connecting central China with Tibet.
Police in Maerkang city closed the 758-meter-long Hongqi Bridge to all vehicles on Monday evening.
The local government said the action was taken following the appearance of cracks on the slope and nearby road, as well as movement detected on the surface of a mountain.
The conditions on the mountain slope are reported to have worsened, triggering a landslide, resulting in the collapse of the connecting bridge and the roadbed.
According to a video shared by contractor Sichuan Road & Bridge Group on social media, the bridge was completed earlier this year.
Although no casualties have been recorded so far, authorities are still conducting a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident.
Local residents are also advised to be alert for any tremors or the appearance of new cracks in the area around the bridge as a precautionary measure.
