CHANDIGARH: At least 18 people were killed and several others injured after a massive landslide buried a private bus in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur district on Tuesday evening. The incident occurred around 6:30 pm near Balughat in the Jhanduta subdivision, following heavy rainfall in the region.
According to officials, the bus carrying 30 to 35 passengers was travelling from Marotan to Ghumarwin when a portion of the hillside collapsed, completely burying the vehicle under debris and boulders. “The bus was crushed under the falling rocks,” a local police officer said.
Rescue operations were launched immediately by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and fire department teams. Heavy machinery, including JCB excavators, was deployed to clear the debris. Despite bad weather and poor visibility, the teams worked through the night to retrieve victims and search for survivors.
Three people, including two children, were rescued and taken to Berthin Hospital. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri confirmed that 18 bodies had been recovered so far, adding that the exact number of passengers is being verified.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the tragedy. “Saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he posted on X. The Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the next of kin of those who died and ₹50,000 each for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
President Droupadi Murmu also offered her condolences, calling the incident “extremely tragic.” In a message shared in Hindi, she said she was praying for the speedy recovery of the injured and strength for the bereaved families.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu described the incident as “heart-wrenching” and said the state government was extending all possible help. “The government stands firmly with the affected families and will provide every possible assistance,” he posted on X.
Meanwhile, in another incident reported the same day, six people were injured after a bus skidded off the road in Kangra district, underscoring the dangers of travel in rain-hit hill areas.
Experts have long warned that Himachal Pradesh remains highly vulnerable to landslides due to deforestation, unplanned hillside construction, and changing rainfall patterns linked to climate change. The state reported over 200 deaths in similar incidents last year.
As rescue efforts continued into the night, officials said a detailed investigation had been ordered to determine the cause of the collapse.
