All eight people, including six children and two adults, who were stranded on a cable car dangling hundreds of feet over a valley in northwest Pakistan have been rescued, the country’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwar Kakar said in a statement.
“Relieved to know that Alhamdolillah all the kids have been successfully and safely rescued. Great team work by the military, rescue departments, district administration as well as the local people,” he said in the statement posted on X, formerly called Twitter.
The rescue began on Tuesday after six children and two teachers were traveling to school in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when one of the gondola’s cables snapped on Tuesday morning, leaving them stuck some 900 feet above a valley, officials said.
Footage released by the rescue services captured the dramatic moment when one child appeared to jump from the cable car while holding onto the end of a rope dangling from a helicopter before being flown to safety.
Another video provided by the rescue services showed locals and emergency workers using ropes to reel in another person attached to a platform by a harness.
As night fell, Pakistani authorities were forced to pause helicopter rescues of the remaining children and adults, but officials said attempts to get them safely out of the cable car by other means would continue into the night.
The cable car was traveling between the villages of Btangi and Jhengarie and had made multiple trips on Tuesday before the cable snapped, said Tanveer Ur Rehman, deputy commissioner of Battagram district, who added that strong winds had thwarted earlier attempts to reach those trapped.
Many children who live in remote and mountainous parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province rely on cable cars to ferry them to school and back. Some of these lack regular maintenance and can be a risky form of travel.
Amid the rescue attempt on Tuesday, two of the students in the cable car were reportedly slipping in and out of consciousness, one of the passengers told Pakistani media outlet Geo News earlier. The passenger, named only as Gulfaraz, had urged state authorities to take action. He said that the students, aged between 10 and 15 years old, didn’t even have drinking water.
Rescue personnel gave the passengers nausea medication following reports of children vomiting, Ur Rehman said, adding that those trapped were also given heart-related medication.
Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar ordered all “dilapidated and non-compliant chairlifts” to close immediately, according to a statement from his office.
How can Pakistan’s rescue teams further enhance their capabilities and preparedness to handle challenging situations similar to the stranded cable car rescue operation
Ased by the Pakistan military showed the stranded cable car swaying back and forth in the wind, with the children inside looking anxious.
Rescue workers and military helicopters were immediately dispatched to the scene to begin the challenging operation. A team of skilled climbers was also brought in to reach the stranded cable car.
After several hours of intense efforts, all eight people trapped in the cable car were successfully rescued. They were safely brought down to the ground, where they received medical attention and were later reunited with their families.
Prime Minister Anwar Kakar expressed his relief and gratitude in a statement, acknowledging the incredible teamwork displayed by the military, rescue departments, district administration, and local residents.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures and regular maintenance of infrastructure. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the cable snap and to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
The successful rescue operation highlights the capabilities and dedication of Pakistan’s rescue teams in handling challenging situations. Their swift response and coordination ensured the safe return of all those who were trapped in the cable car.
The relieved families of the rescued children and teachers expressed their gratitude to the rescuers, acknowledging the bravery and professionalism displayed during the operation.
This incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with such modes of transportation and the importance of stringent safety measures. It also highlights the need for regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the safety of passengers.
The rescued children and teachers can now breathe a sigh of relief as they return to their normal lives. Meanwhile, the authorities will continue to investigate the incident to prevent any similar occurrences in the future and ensure the safety of all commuters.
