Three individuals have died and two others have sustained injuries following the partial collapse of an old bridge in Jammu. The incident took place on May 2, 2026, in the Thuther region of Bantalab, where rescue workers conducted a prolonged 12-hour operation to retrieve victims from the debris.

The collapse occurred when labourers were engaged in construction work on the bridge, which had previously suffered damage during flash floods the prior year. Four workers became trapped when a section of the structure gave way, prompting an immediate response from various emergency services.

Rescue teams comprising members of the police, the Army, the National Disaster Response Force, the State Disaster Response Force, as well as the fire and emergency services, were activated quickly. They first managed to rescue a labourer identified as Tarsem Lal shortly after the collapse, indicating a prompt mobilization of resources.

Government Action and Investigation Initiated

Upon learning about the incident, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary arrived at the site at midnight. He took the decision to suspend two engineers involved in the oversight of the construction work and instructed a full investigation into the catastrophe.

Choudhary reported that he has ordered the suspension of both the Assistant Executive Engineer, Sahil Verma, and the Junior Engineer, Sajad Mir, until further inquiry is conducted into their roles regarding the bridge’s safety protocols. The Deputy Chief Minister also emphasised the importance of holding accountable those responsible for the unfortunate incident.

In addition to these immediate disciplinary actions, the government constituted a three-member committee to investigate the bridge collapse. The inquiry will be led by Purshotam Kumar, who serves as Secretary Technical (Engineer-in-Chief) within the Public Works (R&B) Department.

Injuries Among Rescue Personnel and Ongoing Support

During the rescue efforts, one of the injured personnel was Mohammad Jaffar, the Divisional Fire Officer in the Fire and Emergency Services Department. Reports indicate he sustained injuries from a boulder while working to facilitate the rescue operation, highlighting the dangers faced by first responders.

Both injured individuals received immediate medical attention and have been hospitalised. The injured have reportedly been stabilised, and further assessments of their conditions are ongoing. Authorities are committed to providing full support to the victims and their families during this difficult time.

The search operation concluded successfully in the early hours of May 2, with three bodies recovered from the debris. The operation proceeded under floodlights to ensure every effort was made to locate and rescue those trapped. Local officials expressed condolences to the families affected by this tragedy.

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