15 killed as landslide hits bus in Himachal’s Bilaspur, PM Modi reacts

A terrible accident happened in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh when a private bus was hit by large boulders during a landslide. The landslide was caused by heavy rain on Tuesday evening, October 7th. So far, 15 people have been confirmed dead in this tragic incident, which took place in the Balughat area. Officials reported that these bodies were pulled from the heavily damaged bus.

The accident occurred around 6:30 PM while the bus, carrying an estimated 25 to 30 passengers, was traveling from Marottan to Ghumariwin. Heavy rain had fallen in the area, leading to a portion of the mountainside giving way. The falling debris and stones completely crushed the roof of the bus. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri confirmed the 15 fatalities and mentioned that a total of 18 people, including the dead, have been recovered so far, but the exact total number of passengers is still unknown.

As soon as the disaster struck, rescue teams rushed to the site, including the local police, administration, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). They have been working late into the night to search through the wreckage and remove the debris, using heavy machinery like JCBs. Thankfully, at least three people were rescued from the bus and immediately taken to a hospital in Berthin for treatment.

Both central and state leaders have expressed their deep sorrow over the loss of life. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was saddened by the incident and announced financial assistance of ₹2 lakh for the families of those who died. Similarly, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu offered his sincere condolences to the affected families. He assured them that the state government is fully committed to supporting them during this difficult time.

The Chief Minister is closely monitoring the situation from Shimla. He is in constant touch with the district administration and has ordered them to speed up the rescue and relief efforts. He also specifically directed them to ensure that the injured passengers are quickly transported to hospitals and receive the best possible medical care.