Jammu, May 2, KNT: At least three labourers were killed and one was rescued alive after a portion of an under-construction bridge collapsed in the Bantalab area on the outskirts of Jammu on Saturday, triggering a large-scale rescue operation and prompting authorities to order an inquiry into the incident.
The collapse occurred in the Bantalab–Thathar belt when workers were engaged in construction or repair work on the structure. Several labourers were feared trapped under the debris immediately after the bridge gave way, leading to an urgent multi-agency response.
Rescue teams comprising personnel from the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, police, and the army rushed to the site and launched coordinated efforts to clear the rubble. Heavy machinery was deployed to remove collapsed concrete sections and locate trapped workers.
During the operation, three bodies were recovered from beneath the debris, while one worker was pulled out alive and shifted for medical treatment. The condition of the rescued worker was not immediately known.
The incident has raised serious concerns over construction safety and structural stability, particularly as early indications suggest the bridge had sustained prior damage and was undergoing repair or reinforcement work at the time of collapse.
Authorities have ordered a formal inquiry to ascertain the exact cause of the incident, including whether engineering flaws, material failure, or negligence contributed to the collapse. Officials indicated that accountability would be fixed based on the findings of the probe.
In immediate administrative action, the contractor associated with the project has been blacklisted, and certain officials linked to the work have been suspended pending investigation.
The collapse has disrupted movement in the area and sparked concern among residents over the safety of infrastructure projects in the region. [KNT]
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