SRINAGAR: At least 18 people were killed when boulders struck a private bus during heavy rains that triggered a landslide in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh, on Tuesday evening, according to Hindustan Times.
The bus, carrying an estimated 28 to 30 passengers, was travelling from Marottan to Ghumariwin when a portion of a mountain collapsed onto it near Bhalu, close to Barthi. Four people, including two children, were rescued from the wreckage, police added.
Bilaspur recorded 12.7 mm of rainfall on October 7, contributing to the landslide that crushed the bus under debris and stones. Relief and rescue operations are ongoing, with JCBs deployed to clear the site.
SDM Jhandutta, Arshiya Sharma, as per India Today, confirmed the casualties, stating: “18 deaths have been reported so far, three rescued alive and rushed to hospital, while excavation and rescue operations are continuing on a war footing.”
Local administration, police, and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been working through the night to aid survivors. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu expressed condolences to the victims’ families and assured all possible government support. He is in continuous contact with district authorities and monitoring rescue operations from Shimla.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri also confirmed the death toll of 18. The exact number of passengers on board remains unconfirmed.
Further details about the incident are awaited..
