At least 18 people were killed after a massive landslide buried a private bus in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur district on Tuesday evening. Several passengers are still feared trapped under the debris.
The accident occurred around 6:30 pm in the Bhalughat area of the Jhandutta assembly segment. The bus, operated by Santoshi Bus Service, was travelling from Marotan to Ghumarwin with 30 to 35 passengers when part of a hillside collapsed on it.
Officials confirmed that 18 bodies have been recovered so far. Three survivors, including two children, were pulled out alive and shifted to hospitals in Bilaspur. “The whole mountain came crashing down on the bus. Chances of finding more survivors are slim,” said a police officer involved in the rescue effort.
What led to the Bilaspur landslide?
Officials said continuous heavy rainfall since Monday had loosened the soil on the hillside, triggering the collapse. “This particular hill was never considered a landslide-prone area. Only minor stone shooting incidents had been reported here before. But the heavy rainfall loosened the strata, leading to the collapse of the entire hilltop onto the moving bus,” said Bilaspur Superintendent of Police Sandeep Dhawal.
The sudden slide buried the bus under tons of rocks and mud. The roof of the vehicle was ripped away by the force of the landslide and thrown several meters away, according to eyewitnesses.
Rescue teams noted that the rainfall had made the terrain unstable and slippery, slowing down operations. Large boulders blocked access routes, complicating the task of reaching those still trapped.
Why is Himachal seeing a rise in landslides?
Experts have linked the rising number of landslides in Himachal Pradesh to changing rainfall patterns, unplanned construction, and deforestation. Intense spells of rain weaken mountain slopes, which then give way under pressure.
Data from the Himachal government shows a sharp increase in landslide incidents over the past decade. Roads, hydropower projects, and tourism-related construction have disturbed fragile hill slopes, making them more vulnerable.
Massive rescue efforts underway
Rescue operations are continuing through the night with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police. Heavy machinery has been brought in to cut through debris and pull out the trapped passengers. “The terrain is slippery, and large boulders are obstructing our efforts, but our teams are working round the clock,” said an NDRF Assistant Commandant.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the government was monitoring the situation closely. “Instructions have been given to deploy full machinery. I am in touch with the local administration and receiving moment-by-moment updates,” he said in a post on X. Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri also assured families that all possible help will be provided.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. “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,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
President Droupadi Murmu called the accident “extremely tragic” and expressed condolences. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president JP Nadda, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also issued messages of sympathy.
As rescue teams continue to search under piles of debris, officials warn that the death toll could rise further. Families of passengers remain at the site, waiting for news as operations stretch into the night.
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