Overview

• The hillside collapse struck around 6:30 pm near Bhallu/Bhalughat bridge in Bilaspur’s Jhandutta area, crushing a private bus traveling from Marotan to Ghumarwin with roughly 30–35 passengers onboard.
• Officials confirmed at least 15 fatalities, while multiple outlets citing PTI and a local MLA reported 18 bodies recovered, and authorities are reconciling counts.
• Three people were rescued alive and taken to hospital in Barthin, with police and district administration saying chances of further survival are slim.
• Rescue operations continue on a war footing with local police, fire services, SDRF and NDRF using heavy machinery as intermittent rains complicate debris clearance.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ex-gratia payments of ₹2 lakh to next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured, as national and state leaders offered condolences.