Six labourers were killed and several others injured when an under-construction bridge over the Betwa river collapsed in Uttar Pradesh's Hamirpur district on Thursday. The incident occurred near the village of Pahari, around 25 km from the district headquarters.
Rescue operations underway
Upon receiving information, senior officials including the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police reached the spot. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were also deployed for rescue operations. The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Cause of collapse
Preliminary investigations suggest that the bridge collapse may have been caused by structural failure or weak foundations. The bridge was being built by the Uttar Pradesh State Bridge Corporation Limited. An inquiry has been ordered into the incident.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin. He also directed officials to ensure proper medical care for the injured.
Local residents reported hearing a loud noise before the bridge gave way. The labourers were working on the bridge when the accident occurred. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue.
This is not the first such incident in the state. In recent years, several under-construction bridges have collapsed due to poor construction quality and lack of safety measures. The opposition has criticized the state government for negligence.
