Landslide Hits Bus in Northern India, Killing 15 as Rescue Continues!

Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa

A tragic landslide struck a bus in the Himachal Pradesh state of northern India late Tuesday, leaving at least 15 passengers dead and others feared trapped, officials said. Rescue operations are ongoing amid challenging terrain and unstable weather conditions. [1]

What Happened

• The bus was travelling through a hilly stretch near Bilaspur district when debris from a rain‑induced landslide fell onto it, burying the vehicle in mud, rocks, and earth. [2]
• Authorities reported that the bus carried between 20 to 25 passengers at the time of the disaster. [2]
• Of the confirmed deceased, the group included nine men, four women, and two children. [2]
• Three injured children were rescued and admitted to a local hospital for treatment. [2]
• The torrential rains over recent days are believed to have destabilized the hilly slopes, triggering the landslide. [2]

Rescue & Government Response

• Rescue teams, including local police, disaster response forces, and volunteers, are working through debris using heavy machinery and manual efforts to search for survivors and recover bodies. [3]
• Officials have warned that the death toll may rise, as some passengers are still missing under the wreckage. [3]
• India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ex-gratia compensation of ₹200,000 for families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. [4]
• Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed grief and called for expedited rescue operations and support for affected families. [5]

Why It Matters

• The terrain in Himachal Pradesh is highly susceptible to landslides, especially following heavy rains, making roads and travel in such zones precarious.
• The incident highlights the importance of robust disaster preparedness, early warning systems, and safer road infrastructure in hilly and mountainous regions.
• In many regions of South Asia, climate change is intensifying rain patterns, increasing risks of extreme events such as floods and landslides. [1]-

Citations:

1. AP News: apnews.com/article/dab73dd7efdd9261ffee956d37955ef3?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. Al Jazeera: www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/8/landslide-hits-bus-in-northern-india-killing-15-as-rescue-continues?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3. The Statesman: www.thestatesman.com/india/15-killed-as-landslide-hits-bus-in-himachals-bilaspur-rescue-operations-underway-1503496222.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com
4. India Today: www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bus-buried-under-debris-after-landslide-in-himachals-bilaspur-rescue-ops-on-2799346-2025-10-07?utm_source=chatgpt.com
5. The Indian Express: indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/himachal-pradesh-landslide-deaths-bus-mountain-top-news-10293532/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

About The Author