Three workers who were trapped after an under-construction bridge collapsed in the Bantalab area on the outskirts of Jammu have died, with their bodies recovered early Saturday following an extensive rescue operation. The accident occurred near the Thathar petrol pump on Friday afternoon when a section of the structure gave way during ongoing repair work.

According to officials, the collapse trapped four labourers who were engaged in strengthening a damaged retaining wall near the bridge, which had reportedly been weakened during last year’s flash floods. One worker was rescued on Friday shortly after the incident and was taken to a local hospital. His condition is reported to be stable.

The remaining three workers were pulled out of the debris after overnight rescue efforts and were declared dead at the site. Authorities said the deceased were residents of Chhattisgarh. The operation involved coordinated efforts from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, Army personnel, and civil administration teams.

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Rescue teams had launched operations around 3:30 pm on Friday, shortly after the collapse was reported. Heavy machinery and manual digging were used to clear debris as emergency responders worked through the night to locate the trapped workers and ensure no one else was caught under the rubble.

Following the incident, senior officials visited the site, and the administration ordered immediate action. Jammu’s Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Singh announced the suspension of two Assistant Executive Engineers and a Junior Engineer, while also directing the attachment of the in-charge Executive Engineer pending further inquiry. He said the government is treating the matter seriously and will review whether proper safety protocols were followed during the work.

A three-member inquiry committee has been constituted to investigate the circumstances leading to the collapse. Headed by Engineer Purshotam Kumar, Secretary Technical (Engineer-in-Chief) of the Public Works (R&B) Department, the committee will examine all technical and procedural aspects of the incident, including contractor compliance and construction safety standards. Authorities have also indicated that the contractor responsible for the work may face blacklisting if lapses are confirmed.

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