Jammu, May 2: At least two labourers were killed after a portion of a small bridge collapsed in the Bantalab area on the outskirts of Jammu city on Friday, officials said. One injured worker was rescued and shifted to a hospital, while rescue operations are still underway.
The incident occurred during repair work on a retaining wall near the bridge, which had been damaged in last year’s flash floods. According to official sources, the structure suddenly gave way, trapping several workers under the debris.
Police, Army personnel, and teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) immediately launched a rescue operation at the site. So far, one injured labourer has been pulled out alive, while two others have been confirmed dead.
Family members present at the scene claimed that around six workers were engaged in the repair work at the time of the collapse. While two labourers reportedly managed to escape, four were trapped beneath the rubble.
Authorities have yet to officially confirm the exact number of workers trapped.
The victims are reported to include a mason, an unmarried labourer, the husband of a woman worker, and a relative of the contractor.
Following the incident, authorities have closed the road link connected to the damaged bridge as a precautionary measure.
Surinder Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, also visited the site to assess the situation.
Rescue operations were ongoing at the time of the last reports, with emergency teams continuing efforts to locate any remaining trapped workers.
