Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, October 8: The death toll from a massive landslide that struck a private bus in Bilaspur district rose to 16 after the body of a child was recovered on Wednesday, officials said. Two other children were rescued from the debris.
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening when a portion of a mountain gave way near Bhalughat in Berthin, burying the bus carrying 18 passengers. Fifteen bodies were initially recovered by Tuesday night. The victims included nine men, four women, and three children, while four members of one family—two women and two children—were among the deceased. The rescued children, Arushi and Shaurya, have received treatment at AIIMS Bilaspur and returned home.
Bilaspur Superintendent of Police Sandeep Dhawal said, “Rescue teams thoroughly searched the site, using dog squads and machinery to remove debris. With no trace of other trapped persons, operations have now concluded.”
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu confirmed the toll and said the state government immediately launched relief operations. “It was a very unfortunate incident. Families of the deceased will receive Rs 4 lakh in relief,” he added. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and Urban Development Minister Rajesh Dharmani rushed to the site to oversee the situation.
Sukhu attributed the landslide to excessive rains and unusual weather patterns, warning commuters to exercise caution on narrow roads. He noted that Himachal has suffered Rs 7,000 crore in losses during this monsoon and highlighted the broader impact of climate change.
The deceased have been identified as Naksh (7), Aarav (4), Sanjeev (35), Vimla (35), Kamlesh (36), Kanta Devi (51), Anjana (29), Bakshi Ram (42), Narender Sharma (52), Krishan Lal (30), Chuni Lal (52), Rajnish (36), Rajeev alias Sonu (40), Sharif Khan (25), Praveen Kumar (40), and Rahul (7). Immediate relief of Rs 25,000 per family has been provided, with an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the PMNRF for each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to investigate the circumstances of the landslide, and officials have called for a review of the sustainability of current development models in hilly areas.
