Himachal Pradesh Landslide Kills 15 Bus Passengers, Search Continues for Missing Child
Rescue Operations Underway in Bilaspur’s Balughat Area as Officials Work to Locate 8-Year-Old Boy; PM Announces Ex-Gratia for Victims
Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, Oct 8: A tragic landslide struck a private bus in the Balughat area of Jhandutta assembly segment, Bilaspur, on Tuesday evening, killing 15 people and leaving one child missing, officials said.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri told ANI that two children on board were safe, while search operations continue for an 8-year-old boy. The landslide, triggered by heavy rains over the past two days, caused debris to fall directly onto the bus, crushing it.
Local authorities, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and police teams rushed to the site for rescue operations. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), with sniffer dogs and heavy machinery, is assisting in clearing debris and locating the missing child.
Of the 15 casualties, nine were men and four were women. The deceased include Rajneesh Kumar (34), Sarif Khan (25), Chunni Lal (46), Rajeev alias Sonu, Krishan Lal, and Narender Sharma. Two injured children have been shifted to AIIMS Bilaspur for treatment. A total of 18 people were rescued, three of whom remain hospitalized.
Himachal Road Transport Corporation Board Member Sandeep Sankhyan confirmed the casualty figures, noting that the bus was carrying around 25-30 passengers at the time of the accident.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed profound grief and assured all possible support to the affected families, directing officials to expedite relief and medical care. He is monitoring the situation from Shimla in coordination with Bilaspur authorities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep condolences, announcing an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
The tragic incident highlights the risks of landslides in hilly regions during heavy rainfall, and authorities continue their rescue operations amid challenging terrain and intermittent rain.
