Battagram: Pakistan Army with help of locals have successfully completed rescue operation of eight people, including seven students and a teacher trapped in cable car dangling 900 feet over ravine in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Battagram area.

Military and emergency services raced to save other four children and two adults still stuck as darkness falls.Escue mission has been complicated due to gusty winds in area and fact helicopters’ rotor blades risk further destabilising lift. Following successful helicopter rescue of two children, rescue operation has been transferred to ground-based efforts.

Helicopter rescue operation has been suspended due to adverse night and weather conditions. Secondary dolly was being positioned on same wire to facilitate safe retrieval of trapped individuals one by one. At least two Pak Army helicopters reached site to rescue stranded students and teacher. Initially, they conducted recce of location before commencing rescue operation. Experts say that this was highly dangerous operation as it was unbalanced and air pressure from helicopter could potentially cause lift to break. Sources stated that an Army soldier delivered water, food and heart-regulating medicines to people via helicopter. As per second plan, children were rescued individually. Children were using chairlift to get to school when cable broke at height of around 1,200 feet midway through its journey in remote, mountainous part of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. News of cable car breakdown was reported early in morning when local residents reported it. Footage showed cable car stuck in mid-air and people gathered in area to see cable car.

Earlier speaking to private TV channel, Gul Nawaz, teacher who was stranded in chairlift along with students made an appeal to administration for an immediate rescue operation. He said condition of children was critical, with ages ranging from 10 to 15 years and one child has become unconscious out of fear. Meanwhile, caretaker PM Anwaarul Haq Kakar directed immediate rescue of eight persons trapped in chairlift. In tweet, he said, “Chairlift accident in Battagram, KP is really alarming. I have directed NDMA, PDMA and district authorities to urgently ensure safe rescue and evacuation of 8 people stuck in chairlift.

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 23 2023

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