Hamirpur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 29 : A slab of a bridge currently under construction over the Betwa River in Hamirpur district suddenly collapsed amidst a severe storm and heavy rainfall, killing six labourers in the early hours of Friday.
The deceased have been identified as 22-year-old Lokendra Nishad and 19-year-old Kuldeep Nishad, both residents of the Chilla police station area in Banda district, 28-year-old Sawant Yadav and 30-year-old Sabhajit, both residents of Bhuragarh, as well as 34-year-old Pushpendra Singh Chauhan, a resident of Swasa Khurd in Hamirpur district, and 42-year-old Rajesh Pal, a resident of Achpura.
ADG Prayagraj Jyoti Narayan said that a committee has been set up to investigate the accident.
He said, "A committee has been set up to investigate this unfortunate and tragic incident. However, prima facie, it appears that the bridge was under construction. Today, in the early morning between 2:30 AM and 3:00 AM, some labourers were present underneath the slab due to rain and a storm when it suddenly collapsed. We have been informed that the slab was probably not fully secured or fixed yet, which likely caused the collapse. Nevertheless, the committee will comprehensively determine the exact reasons behind the failure of the slab. All other slabs are secure and have suffered no damage. Six people have lost their lives, and the process of providing compensation to their families is underway. Four of the deceased were residents of Banda, and two were from Hamirpur. It is a deeply tragic incident."
"We are making every effort to ensure their last rites are performed respectfully and as quickly as possible. Additionally, the committee will investigate details such as when the work was halted last night, who the contractors were, and what the role of the company was," he added.
On late Thursday night, the district was experiencing a spell of strong winds and heavy rain. It was during this time that the slab of the under-construction bridge suddenly gave way and collapsed.
Reports suggest that at the time of the incident, several labourers were resting beneath and around the section of the bridge under construction. The sudden collapse of the slab left the labourers with no opportunity to react or escape, and they were buried beneath the debris. Following the accident, the site was filled with cries of distress and panic.
Upon receiving the information, local villagers, police personnel, and administrative officials rushed to the scene.
An SDRF team was also summoned to assist with the relief and rescue operations. The work of clearing the debris has been underway since late into the night. Efforts to locate those buried beneath the rubble were conducted with the aid of JCB excavators and other equipment.
The accident has plunged the families of the victims into deep anguish and mourning. The police took custody of the bodies and initiated further proceedings.
Meanwhile, the severe storm that swept through the district has also had a visible impact on daily life. Trees were uprooted in several locations, and power lines and poles sustained damage. The tin roofs of many houses were blown away, and daily life remained disrupted due to heavy rainfall.