Under-Construction Bridge Collapses in UP Storm, Six Killed, Three Trapped

A significant tragedy unfolded in the Hamirpur district of Uttar Pradesh during the early hours of Friday, May 29, 2026, when a section of an under-construction bridge collapsed due to a severe overnight storm. The incident, which occurred around 2 to 3 AM, resulted in the confirmed deaths of at least six labourers and left three others injured, who were subsequently rescued from beneath the debris. The ill-fated bridge was being constructed over the Betwa River, specifically connecting the villages of Morakandar and Kandaur in the Kurara police station area of Hamirpur district. Reports indicate that a powerful storm, characterized by heavy rain and strong winds, battered the region throughout Thursday night. This adverse weather is believed to have weakened sections of the structure, including slabs, support piers, and shuttering, causing them to suddenly give way. Many workers were reportedly sleeping on parts of the bridge or had taken shelter beneath it to escape the storm when the collapse occurred, trapping them under tons of concrete and twisted metal. Eyewitnesses described loud crashing sounds that accompanied the structural failure, triggering panic at the construction site. Upon receiving information about the accident around 2 AM, emergency teams, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police, and district administration officials, immediately rushed to the scene. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Hamirpur, Arvind Kumar Verma, confirmed that rescue operations were promptly launched to pull out the trapped workers. Initial reports mentioned five fatalities, but the death toll was later confirmed to have risen to six. The six deceased workers have been identified as Lokendra (22), Kuldeep Nishad (19), Sawant Yadav (28), Sabhajit (30), Pushpendra Singh Chauhan (34), and Rajesh Pal (42). Among them, Kuldeep Nishad was the youngest, hailing from Chilla village in Banda district. Four of the deceased were from Banda, and two from Hamirpur. The three injured labourers, who were initially feared trapped on a pillar, were identified as Awadhesh Nishad, Kallu Yadav, and Rajesh Nishad, and were successfully rescued. They have been admitted to the district hospital in Hamirpur for treatment. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took immediate cognisance of the tragic incident, expressing profound grief over the loss of lives. He directed senior officials to reach the site without delay, accelerate rescue and relief operations, and ensure proper medical treatment for the injured. The Chief Minister also announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh each to the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured, instructing officials to maintain direct contact with the victims' families and provide all possible assistance. ADG Prayagraj, Jyoti Narayan, stated that a committee has been established to investigate the accident thoroughly. Prima facie observations suggest that the slab, which collapsed, might not have been fully secured or fixed yet. However, the committee will comprehensively determine the exact reasons behind the structural failure, including assessing whether proper structural safeguards and emergency protocols were in place, especially given the severe weather conditions. Hamirpur District Magistrate Abhishek Goyal mentioned that the bridge construction had been underway for two years by a private company and that safety arrangements were reportedly in place. He also noted that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and district administration had issued warnings regarding strong winds and rainfall on Thursday evening. The incident has raised serious concerns regarding safety standards and construction oversight, particularly for projects undertaken during adverse weather.

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