6 Workers Die After Under-Construction Bridge Collapses in UP

6 Workers Die After Under-Construction Bridge Collapses in UP’s Hamirpur

A major tragedy unfolded in Uttar Pradesh’s Hamirpur on Friday after a portion of an under-construction bridge suddenly collapsed, killing at least six workers and injuring several others. The incident took place during active construction work, trapping labourers beneath heavy concrete slabs and twisted steel structures.

Police officials said the accident occurred in the morning hours when workers were engaged in reinforcement and shuttering work on the bridge structure. Eyewitnesses described hearing a loud cracking sound moments before a section of the bridge gave way.

Rescue operations continued for several hours as teams from the district administration, police, fire services, and disaster response units cleared debris in search of trapped workers.

Chaos at Construction Site

According to local authorities, nearly two dozen labourers were present at the site when the collapse occurred. Several workers managed to escape after hearing warning noises from the structure, but others were trapped beneath the debris.

Videos circulating on social media showed mangled iron rods, collapsed concrete beams, and workers screaming for help as rescue personnel attempted to pull survivors out.

District Magistrate officials confirmed that six bodies had been recovered by Friday afternoon. Multiple injured workers were admitted to nearby government hospitals, with some reported to be in critical condition.

A senior police officer at the site said rescue work had to be carried out carefully because parts of the damaged structure remained unstable.

“The priority is to ensure no worker remains trapped under the debris. Engineers are assisting rescue teams because the structure is fragile after the collapse,” the officer said.

Questions Raised Over Construction Safety

The incident has once again raised serious questions over safety compliance and quality checks at infrastructure projects across India.

Preliminary findings suggest a possible structural failure during the casting phase of the bridge construction. Officials have not ruled out negligence or use of substandard material, though a detailed technical inquiry is still underway.

Local residents alleged that safety norms at the construction site were inadequate. Some labourers reportedly worked without proper protective equipment.

Experts say such accidents often occur because of rushed construction schedules, poor supervision, and inadequate inspection mechanisms.

Civil engineer Anil Srivastava, who has worked on highway bridge projects in north India, said temporary support structures are critical during bridge construction.

“Most collapses during construction happen due to improper load management or weak temporary support systems. A forensic structural audit will reveal whether there was a design flaw or execution failure,” he said.

Government Orders Inquiry

The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered an investigation into the accident. Senior officials from the Public Works Department and district administration visited the site shortly after the collapse.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the deaths and directed officials to ensure immediate medical treatment for the injured.

In a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, authorities were instructed to submit a detailed report on the cause of the collapse.

Compensation for the families of the deceased workers is also expected to be announced. Officials indicated that financial aid and medical support for injured labourers would be processed urgently.

Bridge Projects Under Scrutiny Nationwide

The Hamirpur collapse adds to a growing list of infrastructure failures reported across India over the past few years. Several bridge collapses — both under construction and operational — have triggered public concern about project monitoring and contractor accountability.

In 2022, the suspension bridge collapse in Gujarat’s Morbi killed more than 130 people, leading to nationwide debate over safety certification and maintenance oversight. Since then, authorities in several states have promised stricter engineering audits.

Infrastructure expansion has accelerated across India under large-scale highway and connectivity programmes. However, experts argue that rapid construction often places immense pressure on contractors to meet deadlines.

Labour unions and worker rights groups have also pointed to unsafe working conditions at many large construction sites.

“Workers are the first victims when safety norms are ignored. Many labourers are informal workers with little protection,” said social activist Ravi Mishra, who works with migrant labour groups in Uttar Pradesh.

Families Gather Outside Hospitals

Scenes outside district hospitals turned emotional as families and co-workers searched for information about missing labourers.

Many of the workers involved in the project were reportedly migrants from neighbouring districts and states. Relatives gathered near the accident site demanding accountability and immediate compensation.

One worker who survived the collapse told local reporters that the structure had shown signs of weakness earlier in the day.

“There was shaking in one section. Some workers informed supervisors, but work continued,” he claimed.

Officials have not yet verified these allegations.

Political Reactions Intensify

Opposition leaders targeted the state government over alleged negligence in infrastructure monitoring.

Several political parties demanded an independent probe and strict action against those responsible for the collapse.

A local opposition spokesperson said public infrastructure projects cannot become “death traps for workers.”

Meanwhile, ruling party leaders urged people not to speculate until the technical investigation is completed.

Rescue Work Nears Completion

By evening, rescue teams said most of the debris had been cleared, though search operations continued as a precautionary measure.

Engineers from the construction agency and state departments are expected to conduct a structural assessment before any further work resumes at the site.

Authorities are likely to register a case if evidence of negligence or violation of construction standards emerges during the investigation.

The tragedy has once again highlighted the human cost behind India’s rapid infrastructure push — and the urgent need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations at construction sites across the country.