Battagram, 22 Aug, 2023 (GNP): After a grueling 14-hour ordeal, all eight individuals comprising six children and two adults stranded in a cable car suspended hundreds of feet above a valley in northwest Pakistan have been successfully rescued, as per the statement by the country’s interim Prime Minister, Anwaar ul Haq Kakar.
In the heart of #Battagram, our heroes rose to the challenge. Our military, administration and local champions, hand in hand, defied danger to write a new chapter of valor. They rescued 8 young souls, proving once more the strength of our unity. Our nation's spirit shines… https://t.co/g2IKExyFnL
— Anwaar ul Haq Kakar (@anwaar_kakar) August 23, 2023
The operation commenced on Tuesday morning when a cable snapped on the gondola carrying six children and two teachers to school in the Battagram district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The cable car was left suspended about 900-1,500 feet above the valley. The rescue operation involved helicopters and zip lines, but nightfall necessitated a pause in helicopter evacuations.
These cable cars, often used by people in remote areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have become a crucial means of transportation despite inadequate maintenance and associated risks. A footage captured by the sources showed a child clinging to a rope hanging from a helicopter and being airlifted to safety. Another clip showed locals and emergency workers using ropes to bring individuals attached to a harness back to safety.
During the rescue mission, some passengers were reportedly slipping in and out of consciousness, and there were concerns about their well-being, including a lack of drinking water. The stranded passengers were provided with anti-nausea and heart-related medications.
Also Read: Helicopter rescue operation underway for stranded passengers in cable car incident
In response to the incident, Pakistan’s caretaker prime minister ordered the immediate closure of all “dilapidated and non-compliant chairlifts.”
The successful rescue operation was a result of collaborative efforts by the military, rescue departments, district administration, and residents, Prime Minister Kakar said.
