18 killed as landslide hits bus in Himachal’s Bilaspur

 

 

 

AT least 18 passengers were killed while three were rescued as a private bus they were travelling in was struck by a massive landslide in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur district on Tuesday evening, officials said. The accident took place in Bhalughat area in Jhandutta assembly segment around 6:30 pm, they said, adding the bus carrying 30-35 passengers was on its way from Marotan to Ghumarwin. Intermittent rains have been lashing the area since Monday. So far 18 bodies have been recovered from the debris and three people rescued and sent to hospital, BJP MLA from Jhandutta J R Katwal, who was on the spot, told PTI over the phone. Police and district administration officials are at the spot and rescue operations are going on in full swing. Whole mountain came crashing down on the bus, said an eyewitness engaged in the rescue operations.

 

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri have expressed grief over the accident. CM Sukhu directed the officials to expedite the rescue operations, an official statement said. PM Modi expresses grief over loss of lives in Himachal landslide: PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed grief over the loss of lives in a landslide in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur district. He also announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 1 lakh from the PM National Relief Fund to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to those injured. “Saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh.

 

My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” a PMO statement said. “An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000,” it said. At least 18 passengers were killed while three were rescued as a private bus they were travelling in was struck by a massive landslide in Bilaspur on Tuesday evening.