Shimla, Himachal Pradesh – A private bus traveling through the hilly roads of Bilaspur’s Balughar area was hit by falling debris on Thursday, turning a routine commute into a deadly tragedy. The crash killed 16 people – nine men, four women and three children – and left two others injured and in the hospital.
Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta said the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Public Works Department (PWD) and local officials are on the scene. “Rescue and relief operations are underway,” Gupta told . “All government services will be provided to the families, and our deepest condolences go out to those who lost loved ones.”
The accident happened after heavy rains rumbled across the region, loosening rocks and sending a wall of debris down the road. The bus, which ran daily from Malari to Marotan, was traveling the same stretch when the mudslide struck.
While rescuers move bodies from the wreck, they are also rushing to locate an eight‑year‑old boy who went missing during the chaos. “We started the search at 6:40 a.m. today,” Bilaspur Superintendent of Police Sandeep Dhawal said. “The boy is still missing.”
After the crash, 15 of the deceased were taken to the Community Health Centre in Barthin for post‑mortems. Dhawal added that the Chief Minister’s Office had called in extra doctors to help with the examinations.
Locals recall a similar landslide just eight days ago. “That point is dangerous,” said one resident. “We had a landslide there, and the department only cleared a small amount of debris. The bus left as usual, but the dangers remain.” Another local, Pawan Sharma, noted that the previous slide had not been raining, which made it easier to recover bodies early in the morning.
Officials are conducting a full search for any missing passengers and are working to secure the road to prevent further incidents. The NDRF team is providing emergency medical care, while local firefighters and police conduct sidewalk patrols and set up signage.
This accident underscores the risks of driving through regions prone to landslides, especially during the monsoon season. Residents and travelers are urged to keep updated on weather advisories and road conditions. The government promises ongoing assistance to the affected families and a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to this tragedy.
Source: aninews
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