URUMQI, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Eleven people had been handed over to judicial authorities over a fatal suspension bridge accident that left five people dead and 24 injured on Aug. 6, 2025, according to an investigation report released by the people's government of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Thursday.

A suspension bridge accident at a scenic spot in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on the evening of August 6, 2025 left five people dead and 24 others injured. (Photo: Screenshot from Sina Weibo)

The accident took place at a scenic area in Zhaosu County, northern Xinjiang's Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, when one of the bridge's suspension cables snapped, causing the bridge deck to tilt. A total of 29 people fell from the bridge. It resulted in direct economic losses of approximately 20.32 million yuan (about 2.96 million U.S. dollars).

The investigation concluded that the accident was a serious production safety liability accident resulting from illegal and non-compliant actions and dereliction of duty by multiple parties, including the scenic area management committee, the scenic area operator, and the bridge repair contractor involved, as well as the local Party committee, government and relevant departments.

After the accident, the Office of the State Council Work Safety Committee, together with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, formed a joint working group to guide emergency response efforts and investigation into the accident.

The report also said that the direct cause of the accident stemmed from the bridge not being built according to the design, with pulleys used instead of saddle supports, which led to inherent defects. Additionally, neither of the two repair operations followed basic construction procedures.

Currently, 11 responsible individuals have been handed over to judicial authorities for investigation and prosecution. Five corporate personnel and 22 public officials have received disciplinary penalties under Party and government regulations.

Also, five entities have been penalized or otherwise dealt with in accordance with laws and regulations.