Gurpreet Singh :- A tragic accident claimed the lives of six labourers after a portion of an under-construction bridge over the Betwa river collapsed in Uttar Pradesh’s Hamirpur district in the early hours of Friday. The incident reportedly took place around 3 am when the workers were resting beneath the structure after completing their shift.
According to local residents, strong winds and stormy weather suddenly swept through the area during the night, following which a major section of the bridge came crashing down. The labourers, who were asleep at the time, were buried under the debris before they could react or escape.
Officials said the deceased workers belonged to Hamirpur and Banda districts. Soon after the incident, police teams, district authorities and SDRF personnel rushed to the site and launched rescue operations. Heavy machinery is being used to clear the debris and search for survivors trapped underneath the collapsed structure.
Authorities fear the death toll could rise further, as at least three workers are still believed to be trapped under the rubble. Rescue teams are continuing efforts to pull them out safely amid challenging conditions at the site.
The incident has triggered panic and grief in the area, while questions are also being raised over the safety arrangements at the construction site.
