At least 15 people have been confirmed dead after a massive landslide buried a bus in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday evening. The incident occurred in the Balughat area of Jhandutta subdivision, a region in the lower hills, at approximately 6:30 PM. The bus, a private transport vehicle carrying around 30 passengers, was en route from Rohtak, Haryana, to Ghumarwin when disaster struck.

Initial reports indicated 10 fatalities, but the toll has since risen as rescue operations continue. Authorities fear that more individuals may still be trapped under the debris, and efforts are underway to locate and extricate them.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed his grief over the tragedy and has directed officials to expedite rescue and relief operations. He stated that the local administration has been instructed to deploy all available machinery to assist in the efforts. Sukhu is closely monitoring the situation from Shimla, the state capital.

The landslide sent a torrent of rocks and earth crashing onto the bus, completely engulfing it. Eyewitness accounts describe the entire mountainside collapsing onto the vehicle. Local residents were the first to respond, rushing to the scene to provide assistance. Police and disaster relief forces soon arrived, and an excavator was used to tear open the roof of the bus to extract passengers. According to officials, four people, including two children, had been rescued by 9 pm.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences, stating he was "saddened by the loss of lives" and offering his thoughts and prayers to the affected families.

Landslides are a common occurrence in Himachal Pradesh, particularly during the monsoon season, which typically runs from June to September. Heavy rainfall can saturate the soil, making it unstable and prone to collapse. In 2025, over 450 people have died in various accidents in Himachal Pradesh during the monsoon season.