NEW DELHI: At least fifteen people were killed after a massive landslide struck a private bus near Balughat (Bhallu Bridge) in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur district on Tuesday evening, according to deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri, as quoted by news agency ANI.The bus, carrying around 25–30 passengers, was travelling from Marotan to Ghumarwin in Punjab when the incident occurred along the Pathankot–Mandi national highway near the CSIR campus in Palampur. Agnihotri said about 18 people had been rescued, with three admitted to AIIMS Bilaspur for treatment.He said rescue operations were being carried out “at a war footing” and confirmed he would visit the site to take stock of the situation. “Fifteen people have lost their lives in the private bus accident in Bilaspur. It has been reported that around 25–30 people were on board the bus. I am going to the spot,” Agnihotri was quoted as saying by ANI.The landslide occurred following heavy rainfall in the region. Local administration, police, and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams rushed to the site for rescue operations. Officials said heavy machinery was deployed to clear debris amid challenging terrain and intermittent rain.Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 2 lakh for the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. “Saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” PM Modi said.Union home minister Amit Shah also reacted to the incident, stating, “I am deeply saddened by the bus accident caused by a landslide in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. NDRF teams have reached the incident site and are engaged in rescue operations. I express my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this accident. At the same time, I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”President Droupadi Murmu described the incident as “extremely tragic” and extended her sympathies to the victims’ families. “The news of the deaths of several people in a bus accident caused by a landslide in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, is extremely tragic. I express my condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones and pray for the speedy recovery of those who have been injured,” she said.BJP president JP Nadda also expressed his condolences. “The news of several people being killed or injured due to a bus being caught in a massive landslide in the Jhandutta area of Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh, is deeply distressing,” he said in a post on X.Earlier, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the tragedy had “deeply shaken” him, adding, “the news of a massive landslide near Balughat (Bhallu Bridge) in the Jhanduta Assembly constituency of Bilaspur district has deeply shaken me.”Sukhu, who is monitoring the situation from Shimla, said he was in constant contact with local authorities and directed them to ensure timely relief. “Instructions have been given to officials to deploy all available resources. I am receiving minute-by-minute updates on the rescue operation,” he wrote.Also read: ‘Terror politics’: BJP says another leader ‘attacked’ in West Bengal during flood-relief drivePolice said a case has been registered and the exact cause will be determined after investigation.
