In a daring rescue operation, emergency services in Pakistan saved at least two teenagers out of a group of eight who were stranded in a cable car dangling over a deep valley. The incident occurred while the group was using the chairlift to commute to school in a remote, mountainous area. Conflicting reports suggest that between two and four students and two teachers remain suspended inside the car. The stranded individuals were stuck for more than 10 hours before being rescued.
One of the passengers, Gulfraz, reached out to Pakistani television channel Geo News, pleading for help. He confirmed that there were eight people on board, emphasizing the urgent need for assistance. Despite a helicopter arriving at the scene, it initially left without conducting any rescue operations.
Residents across the Allai valley were alerted to the situation through mosque loudspeakers. Anxious crowds gathered on both sides of the ravine, which is located several hours away from the nearest main town. The cable car, supported by a single rope, is situated in a spot where only a helicopter can provide aid.
The stranded teenagers are male students from Ali Asghar Khan’s government high school, Battangi Pashto. Considering the treacherous terrain, using the chairlift is the usual mode of transportation for them. Parents and relatives anxiously awaited the rescue officials’ efforts to save their children.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar issued a directive to inspect all chairlifts in mountainous areas and immediately shut down any that do not meet safety standards.
The National Disaster Management Agency reported that the cable car was carrying six children and two adults at a height of at least 900 feet. Syed Hammad Haider, a senior official in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, estimated that it was hanging approximately 1,000 to 1,200 feet above the ground. Cable cars are vital in connecting remote villages and towns in areas where constructing roads is not feasible.
In the midst of this challenging situation, the rescue operation captured the attention of the public, with around 500 spectators gathering at the site. Parents and women were seen expressing intense emotions, fearing for the safety of their loved ones.
To ensure the safety of future passengers, the directive for inspections and closures of non-compliant chairlifts in mountainous areas has been issued by the caretaker Prime Minister. This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks and challenges inherent to commuting in such terrains, as well as the critical role of cable cars in bridging inaccessible areas.
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