On the evening of August 6, 2025, a suspension bridge in the picturesque Xiata Scenic Area of Xinjiang’s Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture tilted suddenly after one of its cables snapped. The incident occurred around 6:18 p.m., just as tourists were enjoying the views.
Authorities report that five people lost their lives and 24 others were injured when the bridge failed. In total, 29 people fell off the bridge deck during the collapse. Most of the injured sustained minor wounds; two are in serious condition.
Eyewitnesses say the bridge appeared stable only moments before the disaster. Then, with hardly any warning, the structure began to list heavily to one side. People were caught off guard as portions of the deck slanted and gave way—creating panic, screams, and desperate attempts to flee.
Rescue operations commenced immediately. Emergency teams, local authorities, and a task force have been dispatched to assist the injured and investigate what went wrong. The scenic area has since been closed for inspections.
Preliminary reports suggest that regular maintenance might have failed to detect wear-and-tear in the bridge’s cables. Structural engineers and safety experts are now calling for stricter oversight on tourist infrastructure—urging that inspections become more frequent and thorough to avoid repeating such tragedies.