Six construction workers died after a concrete slab of an under-construction bridge collapsed in Hamirpur, Uttar Pradesh [1].
The incident highlights the vulnerability of infrastructure projects during extreme weather events and the risks faced by labourers in India's construction sector.
The collapse occurred over the Betwa River [4]. According to reports, strong winds and heavy rain from a storm caused the concrete slab to give way [1]. While some reports indicated the event happened late Wednesday night, other sources said it occurred early Friday, May 29, 2024 [3].
Emergency responders said that six labourers were killed in the accident [1]. In addition to the fatalities, three other workers were reported as injured or trapped [2].
The collapse happened in the Hamirpur district, where the bridge was being built to span the Betwa River [4]. The sudden failure of the concrete structure during the storm led to the immediate deaths of the workers on site [1].
Local authorities have not yet released a formal statement regarding the structural integrity of the bridge prior to the storm. The incident occurred as the region faced severe weather conditions that contributed to the failure of the construction slab [1].
“Six construction workers died after a concrete slab of an under-construction bridge collapsed.”
This tragedy underscores the intersection of climate-driven weather extremes and occupational safety in large-scale infrastructure projects. The collapse during a storm suggests that temporary supports or construction phases may not have been sufficient to withstand the wind and rain, raising questions about safety protocols and weather-contingency planning for construction sites in the region.
