15 die after rocks fall on passenger bus in Himachal; PM Modi announces compensation

A devastating natural disaster struck Himachal Pradesh's Bilaspur district on Tuesday, claiming the lives of at least 15 people after a massive landslide engulfed a private bus. The tragic incident occurred near the Ballu Bridge in the Jhanduta Assembly constituency when a colossal volume of mud, rocks, and debris cascaded down from a hillside, completely burying the vehicle and trapping numerous passengers inside.

The bus, reportedly operating on the Marotan–Kalaul route and carrying an estimated 30 to 35 passengers, was caught in the landslide around 6:30 pm. The force of the impact was so severe that parts of the bus were completely mangled under the heavy debris, leaving little chance of survival for many of those onboard. The moving vehicle was struck directly, resulting in the immediate casualties.

Emergency search and rescue operations were launched immediately, with teams from the police, fire department, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) rushing to the difficult-to-access site. Local residents played a crucial role, being the first responders and beginning the arduous process of clearing the rubble to reach the victims. The rescue effort remains challenging and is being conducted on a "war footing" utilizing heavy machinery like JCB excavators to break through the debris.

Officials confirmed that while 15 bodies have been recovered, the death toll is feared to rise as multiple passengers remain trapped under the massive pile of earth and rocks. Fortunately, authorities were able to confirm the safe rescue of three individuals, including a child, who have been rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical treatment, some reported to be in critical condition.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed profound grief over the tragedy. He assured that the state government is deploying all necessary resources and is in constant contact with the local administration to monitor the rescue progress. The Chief Minister also stated that his government stands firmly with the affected families and promised to provide all possible assistance during this difficult time.

Further extending support, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families. The Prime Minister announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased, acknowledging the devastating impact of the accident and providing immediate financial relief to those who have suffered an unimaginable loss. The tragedy once again underscores the extreme vulnerability of the mountainous Himalayan region to natural disasters, particularly during periods of unstable weather.