In a daring operation, members of the Pakistan military have successfully rescued two children from a cable car that was suspended hundreds of feet above the ground in a remote part of the country. The ordeal unfolded when the cable car, which was ferrying the eight people, including four children and two adults, malfunctioned and became stuck over a river canyon in Battagram district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
As night fell, four more children and two adults still awaited rescue, with the military commandos working tirelessly to ensure their safe evacuation. The operation, described as “incredibly delicate,” was complicated by the wind created by the helicopters’ blades, which could potentially weaken the cables holding the car aloft.
Experts warned that the rescue was fraught with risk, with Taimoor Khan, a spokesman for the disaster management authority, stating that the group had spent six hours precariously suspended 1,150 feet above the ground. Despite the challenges, the military commandos worked to rescue the stranded individuals, using ropes to safely extract the children from the cable car.
The drama unfolded as relatives of those trapped anxiously watched the operation, while Pakistanis across the country tuned in to television broadcasts, transfixed by the rescue effort. The incident has also raised concerns about the safety of cable cars, which are often poorly maintained and prone to accidents. A shopkeeper in Lahore was seen watching the news report, no doubt aware of the terror that the trapped individuals must have felt.
Rescue Mission Unfolds Amidst Delicate Conditions in Pakistan
Pakistan’s caretaker prime minister, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, has ordered authorities to conduct safety inspections of all such private chairlifts, ensuring that they are safe to operate and use. The prime minister has also directed authorities to urgently ensure the safe rescue and evacuation of the stranded individuals.
According to Pakistani TV stations, some of those trapped were in contact with their families by mobile phone, while authorities said the two adults were consoling the children, who were between the ages of 11 and 15. The children were on their way to school when the cable car malfunctioned, trapping them for hours. This incident is reminiscent of a similar tragedy in 2017 when 10 people lost their lives after a cable car fell into a ravine in the popular mountain resort of Murree.
As the rescue operation continues, experts are warning of the risks involved, with Tipu Sultan, a retired army brigadier and defence expert, cautioning that the helicopters themselves could make the situation worse. However, the military commandos are flying “carefully” to minimize the risk, according to authorities.
The incident has highlighted the need for greater vigilance in ensuring the safety of cable cars, which are often a lifeline for people living in Pakistan’s mountainous regions. As the rescue effort continues, Pakistanis are holding their breath, hoping for the safe evacuation of the remaining stranded individuals.
