At least 18 people lost their lives after a devastating landslide buried a private bus under heavy debris in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur district on Tuesday. The incident occurred near Ballu Bridge when a section of the hillside collapsed, sending rocks and mud cascading onto the moving bus, which was travelling on the Marotan–Kalaul route.
Officials confirmed that four passengers, including a young girl, have been rescued alive, while several others are feared trapped under the debris. The bus was carrying over 30 passengers, though the exact count is yet to be verified.
Rescue operations by teams from the police, fire department, and disaster management authority are underway. A video from the scene showed a JCB removing layers of mud and rocks as rescuers worked to free those trapped.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and announced financial assistance of ₹2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
“Saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. My thoughts are with the affected families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the Prime Minister’s Office stated on X.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed condolences, stating that NDRF teams had reached the site and were assisting in rescue efforts. “I am deeply saddened by the bus accident caused by a landslide in Bilaspur. I express my condolences to those who lost their loved ones and pray for the recovery of the injured,” Shah said.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as rescue teams race against time to locate survivors amid the heavy debris.
