Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Hamirpur (Uttar Pradesh), May 29: The accident took place in Uttar Pradesh’s Hamirpur district in the early hours of Friday after a powerful storm caused the collapse of an under-construction bridge over the Betwa River. At least six labourers lost their lives in the devastating incident that occurred in the Parsani area of Morakandar under Lalpura police station limits. Several more workers are feared trapped beneath the debris, while police and district administration teams are carrying out rescue operations on a war footing.

Police and local sources, a severe storm suddenly struck the region around 3 am on Friday. Within a short span of time, the storm intensified into a hurricane-like situation, causing widespread destruction in the area. Unable to withstand the force of the storm, multiple pillars of the under-construction bridge over the Betwa River collapsed like a pack of cards. At that time, several workers who were either resting or working beneath the bridge got trapped under the massive debris.

Within half an hour of receiving information about the incident, teams from Lalpura police station along with senior district administration officials rushed to the spot with rescue personnel and equipment. However, by then, six workers had already died after being buried under the collapsed structure.

Rescue teams are continuing operations with urgency to clear the debris and search for survivors. Police officials fear that more labourers may still be trapped beneath the rubble, and the death toll could rise further as the rescue work progresses. The incident has triggered panic and grief across the region.