Himachal Landslide Bus Tragedy: 15 Dead, Rescue Ops in Bilaspur Intensify

Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh — A catastrophic landslide near Ballu Bridge in Bilaspur district claimed at least 15 lives on Tuesday, when a private bus operating on the Marotan–Kalaul route was engulfed by a sudden cascade of mud and rocks.

The incident occurred around midday, trapping over 30 passengers beneath the debris.

Bilaspur Deputy Commissioner Rahul Kumar confirmed the death toll and reported that three individuals have been rescued alive.

Rescue operations are underway with teams from the police, fire department, and disaster management authority working tirelessly to locate survivors.

Visuals from the site show a JCB excavator and local volunteers clearing rubble as parts of the bus remain mangled under the landslide’s weight.

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed deep condolences and assured that rescue efforts are being conducted on a “war footing.” Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri is en route to the site to oversee operations.

Authorities are closely monitoring the area for further risks as unstable weather conditions persist.

This tragedy underscores the vulnerability of hilly terrains during monsoon transitions and raises urgent questions about infrastructure resilience and early warning systems in landslide-prone zones.