Massive Multi-Agency Rescue Operation Prevents Major Disaster in Kashmir
A major tragedy was averted in Jammu and Kashmir’s Gulmarg after more than 300 tourists stranded mid-air inside the famous Gulmarg Gondola cable cars were rescued safely following a major technical malfunction in the system.
Officials said nearly 65 gondola cabins were left suspended after the ropeway system developed a technical snag, triggering panic among tourists, including women and children. Some cabins were reportedly hanging nearly 500 feet above the ground.
The incident led to an immediate large-scale rescue operation involving the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, NDRF, SDRF, CRPF and local administration teams. Rescue personnel used ropes, ladders and specialised extraction methods to evacuate stranded passengers safely from the suspended cabins.
Authorities confirmed that all tourists were rescued without injuries after an operation lasting nearly seven hours.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the government was closely monitoring the situation and announced that a probe would be conducted into the malfunction. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also praised the coordinated efforts of rescue agencies involved in the operation.
The Gulmarg Gondola, regarded as one of Asia’s highest cable car systems and a major tourist attraction in Kashmir, has temporarily suspended operations pending a full technical inspection and safety review.
The incident once again highlighted both the risks associated with high-altitude tourism infrastructure and the importance of rapid emergency response systems in preventing disaster situations.
