Pakistan Cable Car Mishap: Dramatic Rescue Operation Saves Eight Trapped Passengers
A routine Tuesday morning turned into a harrowing ordeal for eight passengers when the cables supporting their cable car snapped, leaving them stranded hundreds of meters above the ground in the Allai valley of northwest Pakistan. The passengers, including six teenagers, were left dangling in the car, buffeted by strong winds and with little hope of being rescued.
It took 14 hours for all eight passengers to be pulled to safety in a complex operation involving at least four helicopters and a team of zip line experts. The rescue operation was further complicated by the unstable state of the cable car, which shook every time a rescuer was lowered towards it, causing fear and distress among the trapped passengers.
Muhammad Ali Swati, one of the zip line experts who assisted in the rescue, described the condition of the passengers as extremely distressed. Despite the challenges, the rescue team managed to bring the group to safety using a makeshift chairlift and a zip line.
Videos of the rescue operation show large crowds erupting in cheers as the last of the group was safely brought to land near a thicket of trees close to midnight. Pakistan’s military, which led the rescue mission, described it as “an operation of unprecedented difficulty.”
The incident has brought attention to the makeshift cable car systems widely used in Pakistan, particularly in mountainous regions. These systems, often built with scrap metal by local communities, are faster and cheaper but compromise on safety. Similar accidents have occurred in the past, highlighting the need for better infrastructure and transport options in these areas.
Authorities have arrested the owner and operator of the cable car involved in the mishap. They cited the use of substandard ropes as endangering the lives of the passengers. However, villagers argue that constructing a road in the area would be a more sustainable solution to ensure safer travel.
Following the traumatic experience, some parents are reconsidering the use of cable cars and urging their children to find alternative means of transportation.