15 killed as massive landslide hits bus in Himachal’s Bilaspur district
In a tragic incident, at least 15 people were killed when a massive landslide struck a private bus in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur district on Tuesday evening. Officials said several passengers are feared trapped under the debris as rescue operations continue late into the night.
The incident occurred around 6:40 p.m. near Bhaleu Ghat in the Bharthin area when a large portion of the hill collapsed onto the bus, which was carrying around 25 passengers from Marotan to Ghumarwin. Rescue teams have so far recovered 15 bodies, while a few others — including a child — are still believed to be buried under the debris, with hopes of survival fading.
The deceased have been identified as Naksh, Aarav, Sanjeev, Vimla, Kamlesh, Kanta Devi, Anjana, Bakshi Ram, Narendra Sharma, Krishan Lal, Chuni Lal, Rajneesh, Sonu, Sharif Khan, and Praveen Kumar. Several injured passengers have been rushed to AIIMS Bilaspur for treatment.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who was attending the Kullu Dussehra festival, rushed to Bilaspur late in the night to oversee the rescue operations. “Heavy rains over the past two days triggered the landslide. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident,” Agnihotri said.
He added that Himachal Pradesh, being a mountainous state, is witnessing large-scale construction of highways, tunnels, and bridges, and it is crucial to review whether the current development model is environmentally sustainable.
Rescue personnel from the NDRF, SDRF, and local police are continuing efforts to locate any survivors. The state government has announced compensation to the families of the deceased.
