Title: Helicopter Rescue Operation Halted as Night Falls, Five of Eight Stranded Children Rescued
Date: August 22, 2023
Location: Peshawar/Islamabad, Pakistan
Rescue efforts to save seven children and their teacher, who were left stranded in a cable car high above a ravine, were hampered when a helicopter rescue operation had to be called off as nightfall approached. However, five children have been successfully rescued so far, according to media reports and a security source.
The cable car became stuck at an angle, leaving it hanging over the ravine. Floodlights were installed to aid the ground-based rescue operation, which continued for more than 12 hours after the incident occurred. Cable crossing experts from the military were dispatched to the remote area north of Islamabad to rescue the stranded individuals one by one, transferring them onto a small platform along the cable.
The military stated that three more children had been rescued, bringing the total number of rescued individuals to five at the time the helicopter rescue mission had to be withdrawn. The operation is still ongoing.
Video footage shared by a rescue agency official depicted a group of rescuers and locals working together to pull a boy, who was attached to a harness, to safety while shouts of “God is great” reverberated across the ravine.
Local residents mentioned that experienced community members from the surrounding areas also arrived at the scene to assist in the rescue efforts.
Abdul Nasir Khan, a resident, described the operation as slow and risky. He explained that one person would tie themselves with a rope and use a small chairlift to rescue the stranded children one by one.
The incident occurred when one of the cable lines supporting the car snapped while the students were on their way to school in the mountainous area of Battagram, approximately 200 km north of Islamabad.
Gusty winds and the potential destabilization of the cable car posed significant challenges for the helicopter rescue mission. Moreover, the stressed individuals inside the cable car pleaded for help, with one child fainting due to heat and fear.
The ongoing rescue effort has captivated the nation, with Pakistanis gathering around television sets to watch the dramatic events unfold. Crowds of villagers anxiously observed the operation from the hillside.
Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar closely monitored the progress of the rescue. He praised the efforts of the army personnel involved in ensuring the safe return of the stranded students.
As night fell, the rescue operation continues, determined to save the remaining two children and their teacher.