A tragic accident occurred in Uttar Pradesh’s Hamirpur district after a portion of an under-construction bridge over the Betwa River collapsed during a powerful storm late Thursday night, leaving six workers dead and several others feared trapped under the debris.
According to officials, the incident took place in the early hours of Friday when strong winds and heavy rainfall struck the area. A slab, pier, and shuttering structure of the bridge under construction suddenly gave way, crushing workers who were either working at the site or had taken shelter beneath the structure due to the severe weather.
Rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police, and district administration rushed to the site and launched an intensive rescue operation. Authorities said several workers remained trapped beneath the collapsed structure, raising fears that the death toll could increase.
Local officials stated that the bridge was being constructed over the Betwa River between villages in the Hamirpur region. Eyewitnesses reported that a violent storm struck the area around midnight, causing significant damage to the under-construction structure. Some labourers had reportedly sought refuge under the bridge when the collapse occurred.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced compensation of ₹5 lakh each for the families of the deceased. The state government has also announced financial assistance of ₹50,000 for the injured. The Chief Minister directed officials to expedite rescue efforts and ensure proper medical treatment for those injured in the accident.
Authorities are continuing rescue and debris-removal operations while an investigation is expected to determine the exact cause of the collapse and whether construction safety norms were followed.
