Shimla, Oct 7,
At least fifteen people have been confirmed dead after a private bus was hit by a landslide in the Balughat area of Jhanduta subdivision in Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh, on Monday. According to the District Public Relations Officer (DPRO), Bilaspur, rescue operations are still underway, and the exact toll is yet to be confirmed as several passengers are feared trapped.
A local informed that the accident occurred about 2–3 kilometers ahead of Bhallu Pul on the Barthi–Shahtalai road, when a Santosh Bus was buried under debris following a massive landslide. The bus, which was traveling from Marotan in the backward Kotdhar area to Ghumarwin, was completely buried under the hillside rubble.
According to initial reports, around 30 to 35 passengers were onboard the vvehile when the incident occurred amid ongoing inclement weather conditions in the region. District and state emergency teams, along with police and local volunteers, have been engaged in rescue and relief operations since morning.
The injured are being shifted to AIIMS Bilaspur for treatment, while authorities have urged nearby residents to assist in the ongoing relief efforts.
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has expressed deep grief over the tragic loss of lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families. “The state government stands firmly with the affected families in this hour of grief and will provide all possible assistance,” the Chief Minister said.
CM Sukhu is in constant touch with the district administration and has directed officials to expedite relief and rescue operations. He has also instructed that all injured persons be shifted to nearby hospitals for immediate treatment and that best possible medical care be ensured.
The Chief Minister is closely monitoring the situation from Shimla, and officials have been asked to remain on high alert in view of the continuing risk of landslides in the region.
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