15 killed as landslide hits bus in Himachal’s Bilaspur; 3 rescued

At least 15 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, they said, adding the bus carrying 30-35 passengers was on its way from Marotan to Ghumarwin.

The police, Home Guards and district administration officials are at the spot and rescue operations are going on in full swing, the officials said.

Heavy machinery was deployed to clear the debris and rescue those trapped inside the mangled bus.

So far, 15 people, including the driver and conductor of the bus, have died while three rescued alive were sent to hospital, BJP MLA from Jhandutta, J R Katwal, who was on the spot, told PTI over the phone.

The whole mountain came crashing down on the bus and chances of survival of passengers are bleak, said a policeman engaged in rescue operations.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu and Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri expressed grief over the accident. The CM said he is in constant touch with the district administration, and has issued directives to expedite relief and rescue operations. He has also ordered that the injured be immediately transported to hospitals, and that adequate arrangements be made for their treatment, an official statement issued here said.

PM Modi expresses grief, announces compensation   

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives.

He announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 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.

With PTI inputs