SHIMLA: A massive landslide struck Bilaspur district on Tuesday, burying a private bus under heavy mud and rocks, resulting in the death of at least 18 people. Several passengers are feared trapped, and rescue operations are underway.
The incident occurred near Ballu Bridge when a large volume of debris slid down from a hillside, crushing the bus operating on the Marotan-Kalaul route. Teams from the police, fire department, and disaster management authority have reached the site and are working to clear the wreckage and rescue passengers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the accident and announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased, to be provided through the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. Additionally, all injured passengers will receive Rs 50,000 each.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed condolences and stated that he is closely monitoring the rescue operations. “Rescue operations are ongoing at a war footing. Instructions have been given to the authorities to deploy their full machinery. I am in touch with the local administration and am continuously receiving moment-by-moment updates on the entire rescue operation,” he said in a statement.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who was in Kullu at the time of the accident, is on his way to Bilaspur to oversee relief and rescue measures.
Authorities continue to appeal to locals and commuters to exercise caution in landslide-prone areas and follow safety instructions from disaster management teams.
