Daijiworld Media Network - Jammu

Jammu, May 2: A tragic incident occurred in Jammu after an under-construction bridge collapsed in the Bantalab Thathar area, resulting in the death of three labourers while one worker was rescued alive during a night-long operation.

According to officials, the incident took place on Friday evening when four labourers were working beneath the structure and were trapped under debris after a portion of the bridge suddenly gave way.

A joint rescue operation was launched immediately, involving the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Indian Army, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local civil administration teams. Heavy machinery, including JCB excavators, was used to clear the rubble.

The rescue operation continued through the night and concluded around 1 a.m. on Saturday. One injured labourer was pulled out alive and immediately shifted to hospital, where his condition is reported to be stable. The bodies of the remaining three workers were recovered from the debris.

Additional District Development commissioner Thakur Sher Singh confirmed that the operation ended after hours of continuous effort, stating that one life was saved while three others were lost.

The incident has once again raised concerns over safety standards at construction sites, as structural collapses have been reported intermittently across the country. Officials noted that accountability measures are typically initiated in such cases to determine responsibility and ensure compensation for affected families.

India has witnessed several major infrastructure-related accidents in the past, including the 2022 Morbi suspension bridge collapse in Morbi, which claimed over 140 lives, highlighting ongoing concerns about structural safety and oversight.