Himachal Pradesh: Landslide on bus near Balu Pul, 15 dead, President and Prime Minister condole A landslide of mud and rocks from a hill near Balu Pul in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh turned a bus full of passengers into a pile of rubble, killing 15 people. The area, which has been hit by heavy rains, is struggling for relief operations, where the Army, NDRF, and local administration are engaged in rescue operations. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhku expressed condolences, while aid announcements were made. Accident details On the afternoon of September 4, 2025, a private bus full of passengers (including 30 passengers) was hit by debris falling from a hill at Balu Pul near Barthein in Bilaspur. The landslide buried the bus under the debris, killing 15 people and injuring 10. Deputy Commissioner Rahul Kumar said that “15 bodies have been recovered, while three were pulled out alive, who are undergoing treatment.” Fire brigade, police, and NDRF teams are busy rescuing people from the rubble, but incessant rains have made the work difficult. The passengers, who were travelling from Chandigarh to Rajasthan, were hit by the accident. Eyewitnesses said that ‘the debris fell with a bang, and the bus was buried under the debris in an instant.’ The incident reflects the increasing incidents of landslides on Himachal’s mountain roads, which are being caused by climate change and poor construction. Political and international reaction Prime Minister Modi wrote on X: ‘Saddened by the Bilaspur accident in Himachal. My condolences are with the bereaved families.’ Rs 2 lakh will be given to the families of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured from the PM National Relief Fund. President Droupadi Murmu and Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed their condolences. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhku ordered immediate assistance and put the district administration on high alert. “The safety of our people is our top priority. "The relief teams are doing everything possible." — Sukhwinder Singh Sukho References The Hindu, India Today, Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Indian Express, X-Post