The horrific accident near the Bhallu Bridge in Barthin, Bilaspur, has shaken the entire area. Subedar Major Kulwant Singh Patial, who was present at the scene, explained that this area was already highly vulnerable. Soil and stones frequently fell from the hill, but the department made no effort to mark it as a black spot or take permanent safety measures.
He says that this section of the Bhallu Bridge had always been considered dangerous. Cracks had appeared in the hill after the rains. Villagers had informed the department several times. Eight days ago, people had even requested Public Works Department officials to strengthen and secure this section.
Despite this, no action was taken. The recent accident is the result of that negligence. The Santoshi bus used to run twice a day on the Marotan to Ghumarwin route. This section of the Bhallu Bridge has a rough hill on one side and a deep ravine on the other.
Passengers were feared to have fallen down the hill into the ravine.
This is why, after the accident, the administration also expressed the fear that some passengers might have fallen down the hill into the ravine. During the search operation, JCB machines were lowered to the ground to ensure that no bodies or people were buried. This bus route departed from Ghumarwin bus stand at 7:30 a.m. and reached Marotan via Sunhani, Barthin, Bhadoli Kalan, Kalol, and Jejvin.
15 Families Were Deprived of Happiness
It returned around 12:30 p.m. and made another trip at 1 p.m. Three consecutive days of heavy rain had weakened the hill. This caused 15 families to lose their happiness on Tuesday. The entire area is mourning after the accident. Houses where people had left for work in the morning were filled with mourning by evening.
People helped in the rescue operation
After the incident, people from nearby areas rushed to the scene and, regardless of their own safety, began relief work. Shortly after, police, administration, and NDRF teams arrived. The NDRF team took charge of the rescue operation around 9 p.m.
Dozens of trained personnel arrived at the scene in three vehicles from Salapad. Due to darkness, generators were arranged at the scene. A rescue operation was launched to rescue passengers trapped in the debris. The work of removing debris continued late into the night with the help of JCB machines and trained dog squads.
Nadda, Bindal, and Anurag expressed grief over the accident
BJP National President and Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, BJP State President Dr. Rajeev Bindal, former Union Minister and MP Anurag Thakur, former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, MP Suresh Kashyap, Kangana Ranaut, and all the MLAs from Bilaspur district expressed condolences.
210 have lost their lives in the monsoon season
190 people have died due to rain and landslides during the monsoon season. Of these, 8 people died in Bilaspur, 26 in Chamba, 3 in Hamirpur, 22 in Kangra, 15 in Kinnaur, 13 in Kullu, 4 in Lahaul Spiti, 25 in Mandi, 25 in Shimla, 11 in Sirmaur, 25 in Solan, and 13 in Una. The death toll has reached 210.
Boulders fall on bus in Barthi; 16 dead, one missing
Amid heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh, a 32-seater private bus traveling from Marotan in Bilaspur to Ghumarwin was struck by massive rocks and debris. Sixteen people died on the spot in the accident on Tuesday evening. Two children, a brother and sister, were rescued safely. Four members of their family died in the accident. A total of 18 people were on board the bus. Eight-year-old Rahul, a local resident, is missing. The body of Rahul's mother, Bimla, has been recovered.
Debris fell on passengers on the bus
The accident occurred on the banks of the Shukra Khad near the Bhallu Bridge in Barthi. Falling debris from the hill ripped the roof of the private bus off and threw it into the ravine, while all the debris fell on the passengers on the bus. According to police, debris suddenly fell on the bus traveling from Marotan to Ghumarwin at 6:30 pm on Tuesday. The accident caused a lot of screaming and shouting. Drivers coming from behind informed the police administration. Relief and rescue operations are underway at the scene.
People had boarded the bus from Marotan, Barthi, and intermediate stations.
Police and local people first rescued Aarushi (10) and Shaurya (8) from the debris and admitted them to Barthi Hospital for treatment. From there, they were referred to AIIMS Bilaspur. The bus had passengers from Marotan, Barthi, and intermediate stations. Most of them were returning from work or work. The police administration has not yet called off the rescue operation. The NDRF also remained on the scene. Superintendent of Police Sandeep Dhawal, SDM Gaurav Chaudhary, and Jhanduta MLA Jeet Ram Katwal also visited the scene. Upon receiving information about the accident, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who had arrived for the closing ceremony of Kullu Dussehra, left the program and headed for the accident site.
The mother, two cousins, and an aunt of the injured siblings died.
Kamlesh Kumari, the mother of the injured Aarushi (10) and Shaurya (8) from Fagog village, also died. Two cousins, Naksh and Aarav, and their mother, Anjana Kumari, who were traveling with them on the bus, also died. The deaths of four members of the same family have stunned everyone. Anjana Kumari and Kamlesh Kumari's maternal home is in Gangloh Theh village. It is reported that the two sisters-in-law were traveling from their maternal home to their in-laws' home in Fagog when they were struck by the accident. The bodies have been taken to Barthi Hospital for identification. The atmosphere there was filled with grief due to the cries and cries. As soon as news of the accident spread, relatives rushed to the hospital. People were consoling the grieving family members at the hospital, some offering them water, while others wiped away tears.
Driver and conductor killed; the owner, who was working as a conductor, had gotten off earlier in Barthi.
According to police, the driver and conductor also died in the accident. The bus owner, Rajkumar, was previously working as a conductor. He named the bus Santoshi after his mother. He got off at Barthi before the accident. He asked the other conductor to proceed, and the accident occurred a short distance away. The new conductor died. It is reported that due to the Valmiki Jayanti holiday, there were not as many passengers as usual.
PM, President, Home Minister, and Chief Minister express grief.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the bus accident in Barthi. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, the Prime Minister has announced an ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs. 50,000 each to the injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. Meanwhile, President Draupadi Murmu, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu have also expressed deep condolences over the Bilaspur accident. CM Sukhu said that the government stands firmly with the affected families in this difficult time.
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