Landslide in Himachal strikes bus, kills at least 18, dozens missing

A heavy landslide struck a private bus near Barthi village in Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh, late Tuesday evening, leaving 18 dead and several more missing in the steep terrain.

The bus was traveling along a hillside route approximately 100 km from Shimla when the collapse occurred, burying the vehicle under debris from the slope. Many passengers remain unaccounted for, and rescue operations continued during the night.

The Himachal Pradesh government announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh (~USD 2,400) to the families of each deceased, as declared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. State leaders conveyed condolences and committed to fast-track aid, compensation, and relief support to affected families.

Given the Himalayan topography and monsoon climate, the region is prone to such disasters. Since monsoon hit on June 20, almost 470 people have died in Himachai from rain-related incidents.