Authorities in China’s western Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region have blamed construction defects and management failures – rather than the actions of tourists – for a deadly suspension bridge failure last summer.

In a report released on Thursday, investigators concluded that “legal violations, gross negligence and dereliction of duty” caused the Jiangjun Bridge at the Xiata Scenic Area in Yili to tilt, killing five people and injuring 24 others.

The incident occurred at 6.15pm on August 6, when...