Summary:
- Six individuals, including four children, remain trapped in a cable car suspended approximately a thousand feet in the air in northern Pakistan.
- Rescue efforts, involving both helicopters and ground teams, are underway to evacuate the trapped passengers.
- Safety concerns arise due to the snapped cable, and experts worry about potential strain on the remaining cables during the rescue operation.
- Pakistan's Prime Minister calls for inspections of all cable cars in the country, highlighting broader safety implications for similar infrastructure in remote regions.
In Pakistan, four children and two adults remain trapped in a dangling cable car as helicopter crews work to rescue them. They've been stranded for more than 12 hours. Reports are conflicting, but so far at least two children have been removed from the cable car. Rami Innocentio is following this dramatic rescue for us from London.
High Altitude Stranded
The cable car, suspended at an altitude of approximately a thousand feet, is a scene of urgency and uncertainty. The passengers, including children on their way to school, were caught in this perilous situation when one of the cables snapped while crossing a river canyon. The cable car, surprisingly integral to the daily lives of inhabitants in the mountainous province of northern Pakistan, connects distant areas that include homes, schools, and businesses.Nighttime Suspensions and Ground Efforts
As nighttime falls, the helicopter-based rescue operation has been temporarily suspended, with plans to resume in the morning. However, the ground operation is still in progress. Cable car experts and a specialized dolly have been dispatched to the site to facilitate the safe evacuation of the trapped individuals. The operation aims to meticulously extract each person from the cable car one by one.Race Against Time and Elements
The concern now is the stability of the remaining cables that continue to support the cable car. Experts fear that the winds generated by helicopter blades could potentially strain the cables further, endangering the lives of those still trapped. The ongoing land-based rescue operation, compounded by high winds gusting through the ravine, underscores the race against time and the elements.Broader Implications and Remote Challenges
Pakistan's Prime Minister has called for comprehensive inspections of all cable cars across the nation, recognizing the need for improved safety standards. However, the remote nature of these regions poses challenges to effectively reach and inspect all cable cars. This incident sheds light on the broader safety concerns inherent in maintaining infrastructure in such rugged landscapes.As the rescue efforts continue through the night, hopes remain that the remaining cables hold, allowing the safe rescue of the trapped individuals. The incident also raises questions about the overall safety and maintenance of cable cars in remote areas.