Bridge Collapse – Five Dead After Storm Triggers Construction Disaster in Hamirpur
Bridge Collapse – A tragic accident unfolded in Uttar Pradesh’s Hamirpur district after a section of an under-construction bridge gave way during a powerful overnight storm, leaving at least five workers dead and raising concerns that more people could still be trapped beneath the debris. Emergency teams have been working continuously at the site to locate missing individuals and clear the wreckage.
Rescue Teams Launched Immediate Search Operation
According to officials, the incident was reported in the early hours of the morning when parts of the bridge structure collapsed unexpectedly. Additional Superintendent of Police Arvind Kumar Verma said authorities received information around 2 a.m. and quickly dispatched rescue personnel to the location.
Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police, and district administration reached the site soon after the alert was received. During the ongoing rescue effort, five bodies were recovered and identified. Search operations are continuing as authorities assess the possibility that additional workers remain trapped under the fallen concrete and steel structures.
Collapse Occurred at Ongoing Bridge Construction Site
The accident took place at the Kandaur-Morakandar bridge project located within the Kurara police station jurisdiction. Construction work was reportedly underway during the night shift when the weather conditions suddenly deteriorated.
Officials stated that workers were engaged in construction activities involving bridge slabs and support structures when the collapse occurred. The exact sequence of events is still under investigation, although initial reports indicate that severe weather may have played a significant role.
Residents Describe Impact of Intense Storm
People living near the construction site reported that a strong storm swept through the region around midnight. Several residents said they were awakened by powerful winds before hearing loud noises from the bridge project area.
According to local accounts, the force of the storm appears to have damaged bridge segments and supporting components. As structural elements began to fail, portions of the bridge reportedly crashed down, bringing additional sections with them.
Residents also stated that security personnel stationed near the project were among those caught in the collapse. Some workers were believed to be present on the structure at the time, increasing fears that more victims could be located as rescue teams continue searching through the debris.
Witnesses Recall Sudden Structural Failure
Eyewitnesses said construction activity had been ongoing on pillars and slabs before weather conditions worsened. One local resident explained that the storm struck suddenly, after which a major section of the structure broke apart.
Another witness said workers were actively engaged at the site during the night shift when a slab collapsed. The falling concrete reportedly caused extensive damage to supporting frameworks and other portions of the unfinished bridge.
The witness added that multiple workers were present in the affected area when the structure failed, contributing to the heavy loss of life reported so far.
Authorities Continue Investigation
Senior administrative officers, including local revenue and police officials, remain present at the location to supervise rescue and recovery efforts. Heavy machinery and specialized rescue equipment are being used to remove debris safely while minimizing risks to any survivors who may still be trapped.
Authorities have not yet released a final estimate of the number of people affected. Officials said rescue operations will continue until the entire site has been thoroughly searched.
The incident has raised fresh questions about construction-site safety during extreme weather conditions, although investigators are expected to determine the precise cause of the collapse after a detailed assessment of the damaged structure.