Eighteen people lost their lives after a rain-induced landslide sent boulders crashing onto a private bus in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur district on Tuesday evening.
Authorities confirmed that 18 bodies have been retrieved from the wreckage of the bus, which was struck by falling rocks in the Balughat area of Jhanduta subdivision. The vehicle was carrying between 28 and 30 passengers at the time of the incident.
Bilaspur recorded 12.7 mm of rainfall on October 7. Among those rescued from the crushed bus were three children, who have been admitted to a hospital in Berthin for treatment.
Police officials stated that the accident occurred around 6:30 pm when the landslide struck the bus traveling from Marottan to Ghumariwin. A large portion of the hillside collapsed onto the vehicle near Bhalu, close to Barthi, completely crushing it under debris and boulders.
Local administration, police personnel, and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams immediately reached the site to conduct rescue operations, which extended late into the night. Heavy machinery, including JCBs, was deployed to clear the debris and locate survivors.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh to the families of each deceased victim.
Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu conveyed his condolences and assured that the state government would provide full support to the affected families. He has been in continuous communication with the district administration, directing them to accelerate relief efforts and ensure prompt medical care for the injured. The Chief Minister is monitoring the situation closely from Shimla.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri confirmed the death toll, stating that 18 people, including 15 confirmed fatalities, have been recovered so far. He noted that the exact number of passengers aboard the bus remains unclear at this stage.