Rescue Teams Work Overnight After Bridge Section Gives Way

Three labourers were killed and two others injured after a portion of an old bridge collapsed in the Thuther area of Bantalab on the outskirts of Jammu, officials said on Saturday.

Rescue teams comprising the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force, police, and fire services carried out a 12-hour overnight operation under floodlights to retrieve those trapped under the debris.

Initially, one injured worker was rescued soon after the collapse on Friday. The remaining victims were pulled out during the extended search, with three bodies recovered and another person rescued in an injured condition. Among the injured is Divisional Fire Officer Mohammad Jaffar, who sustained injuries during the rescue.

Officials said labourers were engaged in retaining wall and foundation work on the bridge—damaged in last year’s flash floods—when a section suddenly gave way.

Surinder Kumar Choudhary visited the site at midnight and ordered strict action. Two engineers—Assistant Executive Engineer Sahil Verma and Junior Engineer Sajad Mir—have been suspended, while directions were issued for action against the Executive Engineer as well.

The government has also constituted a three-member inquiry committee headed by Purshotam Kumar, Secretary Technical (Engineer-in-Chief), Public Works (R&B) Department, to investigate the incident. Authorities have been directed to complete the probe within five days.

The incident has raised concerns over construction safety and oversight, particularly in infrastructure projects involving previously damaged structures.