Hamirpur bridge collapse kills 6; CM Yogi orders rescue ops on Betwa River
Synopsis
A late-night storm brought down an under-construction bridge over the Betwa River in Hamirpur, UP, killing at least six workers who were asleep on the structure. With rescue ops still ongoing and officials warning the toll could climb, the tragedy has reignited hard questions about construction-site safety standards during adverse weather.
Key Takeaways
At least six workers were killed when an under-construction bridge over the Betwa River in Hamirpur, Uttar Pradesh collapsed at around 2 a.m. on 29 May .
The bridge was being built between Morakandar and Kandaur villages; workers were sleeping on the structure when it gave way during heavy rain and strong winds.
SDRF , local police, and district administration teams are conducting rescue operations; officials warn the death toll could rise.
Additional SP Arvind Kumar Verma confirmed five bodies had been retrieved and identified as of the latest update.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath posted condolences on X and directed officials to expedite relief, ensure treatment for the injured, and provide compensation to bereaved families.
The incident has raised serious concerns about safety standards and weather-preparedness at under-construction infrastructure sites in the state.
At least six workers were killed after an under-construction bridge over the Betwa River in Hamirpur district, Uttar Pradesh, collapsed during a late-night storm in the early hours of Friday, 29 May. Officials have warned the death toll could rise as rescue operations continue at the site between Morakandar and Kandaur villages.
How the Collapse Unfolded
The bridge gave way at approximately 2 a.m. amid heavy rain and strong winds. Several workers were asleep on a section of the structure when it caved in, trapping them under the debris. The timing — deep into the night, during a storm — meant emergency responders faced significant challenges reaching the site and assessing the full scale of the damage.
Rescue Operations Under Way
Hamirpur Additional Superintendent of Police Arvind Kumar Verma confirmed that teams mobilised immediately after receiving the alert. 'We reached the spot immediately after receiving the information around 2 a.m. last night that a slab had collapsed and some people were trapped beneath it,' Verma told reporters. 'SDRF is here, and rescue operations are underway. We have retrieved and identified five bodies,' he added. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police, and district administration personnel are continuing efforts to locate any workers still trapped in the rubble.
CM Yogi's Response
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the incident in a post on X, calling the loss of lives 'extremely heartbreaking and heart-rending.' 'My condolences are with the bereaved families. Instructions have been issued to the district administration to swiftly carry out relief and rescue operations in coordination with SDRF,' he wrote. The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) stated that Yogi took immediate cognisance of the collapse and directed senior officials to reach the site without delay. He also instructed authorities to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured and adequate compensation for the families of the deceased.
Safety Concerns at the Construction Site
The incident has raised serious questions about safety standards and weather-preparedness protocols at the bridge construction site. Workers reportedly had no shelter arrangement away from the structure during the storm — a lapse that critics argue reflects systemic negligence in infrastructure project management. This is not an isolated case; bridge collapses at under-construction sites during the monsoon season have been reported across Uttar Pradesh and other states in recent years, repeatedly exposing gaps in on-site safety compliance.
What Happens Next
Rescue teams are expected to continue operations until all workers are accounted for. An inquiry into construction standards and safety protocols at the site is anticipated, given the scale of the tragedy. The families of the deceased are to receive compensation as directed by the Chief Minister, though specific amounts have not yet been officially announced.
Point of View
Not the storm. Adverse weather is foreseeable during the pre-monsoon season in Uttar Pradesh; the absence of safe resting arrangements for labourers is a regulatory failure, not an act of God. Bridge collapses at active construction sites have become a grim seasonal pattern across India, yet accountability rarely travels beyond an initial inquiry. CM Yogi's swift public response and compensation directive are necessary, but unless the state orders a safety audit of comparable under-construction projects — and enforces it — this will remain a headline that changes nothing.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Hamirpur bridge collapse?
An under-construction bridge over the Betwa River in Hamirpur, Uttar Pradesh collapsed at around 2 a.m. on 29 May during a heavy storm, killing at least six workers who were sleeping on the structure. Rescue operations are ongoing and officials fear the death toll may rise.
Where exactly did the bridge collapse occur?
The collapse occurred on a bridge being built between Morakandar and Kandaur villages over the Betwa River in Hamirpur district, Uttar Pradesh.
What action has CM Yogi Adityanath taken?
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath posted condolences on X and directed the district administration to carry out swift rescue and relief operations in coordination with the SDRF. He also instructed officials to ensure proper treatment for the injured and adequate compensation for the families of the deceased.
Who is conducting the rescue operations?
The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police, and district administration teams are leading rescue efforts at the site. Additional SP Arvind Kumar Verma confirmed that teams reached the spot immediately after receiving information at around 2 a.m.
Why has the incident raised safety concerns?
Workers were reportedly sleeping on the under-construction bridge structure with no alternate shelter when the storm struck, pointing to serious lapses in on-site safety and weather-preparedness protocols. Critics argue the incident reflects systemic negligence in managing labour safety at infrastructure construction sites.
