Six killed as under-construction bridge collapses in India storm

Officials fear the death toll could rise to eight after the incident in Uttar Pradesh

At least six workers have been killed after an under-construction bridge collapsed during a late-night storm in India’s Uttar Pradesh state, NDTV reports.

Officials fear the death toll could rise to eight as rescue operations continue.

The bridge over the Betwa River, linking Morakandar with Kandaur village in Hamirpur district, caved in around 2am on Friday while construction work was under way, the Indian broadcaster said.

Several workers had taken shelter beneath a hydra machine amid heavy rain when parts of the structure suddenly gave way, it added.

Hamirpur Additional Superintendent of Police Arvind Kumar Verma said rescue teams rushed to the site after receiving reports that workers had been trapped beneath a collapsed slab.

“SDRF is here, and rescue operations are under way,” he told NDTV.

Local residents said a powerful storm swept through the area shortly before the collapse.

They said segments of the bridge first broke apart before supporting pillars also crashed down.

One resident told Indian news agency ANI that two guards stationed at the site were crushed to death, while several labourers were believed to be trapped under the debris.

Authorities said some workers remained trapped, while three others were stranded on a bridge pillar after the collapse.

Circle Officer Rajesh Kamal later told the outlet that two more labourers had been rescued, while efforts were continuing to bring another stranded worker to safety.