A landslide in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, struck a private bus, killing 15 people. Two children were rescued, while search continues for an eight-year-old boy amid heavy rains. NDRF, police, and local teams are conducting rescue operations and clearing debris
Rescue operation underway after a massive landslide hit a private bus, in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh. Pic/PTI
In a very unfortunate incident at Bilaspur, a landslide struck a private bus in the Balughat area of the Jhandutta assembly segment, killing 15 people. However, the search operations have been ongoing since Tuesday evening, and authorities are trying hard to make the situation normal as soon as possible.
While speaking with the media on the Bilaspur landslide incident, NDRF Assistant Commandant of the Nurpur area, Karam Singh, stated, "The incident occurred around 6:50 pm, and after getting information about the incident, our teams rushed to the spot at around 8 pm and searched the whole area physically with all heavy equipment," as cited by news agency ANI.
The NDRF commandant further said that, "About 18 people were travelling in the bus, and so far 15 bodies have already been recovered, 2 live victims may be retrieved, and one more victim is still missing," as cited by news agency ANI.
He further added that "the major reason behind the incident is continuous rain, and it caused landslides in the area, and our operations and rescue efforts will continue until we find the person," as per ANI.
Furthermore, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri told the media that "A private bus has met with an accident in Himachal Pradesh. Fifteen people have been killed. Two children are safe. The search is ongoing for one more child. The incident occurred due to a landslide, and its timing was such that debris landed on the bus, crushing it, as per ANI.
Bilaspur SP Sandeep Dhawal said local residents assisted in saving the two children and confirmed that rescue operations are ongoing to locate an eight-year-old boy.
SP further emphasised that, "Upon receiving information about this incident, we dispatched our police rescue team, Home Guard rescue team, and fire department vehicles to the scene. Local people provided a great deal of assistance in this incident and saved two children," he said. "About 15 people have died in this incident. The post-mortem process of the bodies is being carried out. The major cause of this incident is the rain that has been happening for the last two days. Rescue operations are still ongoing at the incident site because an 8-year-old boy is missing in this, as per ANI.
The unfortunate incident occurred when the private bus, carrying passengers through the hilly stretch, was suddenly struck by falling debris following heavy rains in the region.
Local administration, police, and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams rushed to the spot to carry out rescue operations.
Out of the 15 people who were killed in this unfortunate incident, the bodies of nine men and four women have been recovered.
Amid the unfortunate incident, two children sustained injuries; however, they have now been shifted to AIIMS Bilaspur. Search operations with the National Disaster Response Force team, including sniffer dogs, are ongoing.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while expressing profound grief over the tragic accident, also extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones. "The state government stands firmly with the affected families in this hour of distress and will provide every possible assistance," the CM said.
Sukhu, who is monitoring the situation from Shimla, is in touch with the Bilaspur district administration. He has asked authorities to provide timely updates on the rescue efforts and relief measures. Officials said heavy machinery had been deployed at the site, and efforts were on to clear the debris amid difficult terrain and intermittent rainfall.
(With inputs from ANI)
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