320 Tourists Rescued from Asia's Highest Cable Car

When a cable car system carrying 320 tourists suddenly stopped working high above the Gulmarg mountains in Kashmir, rescuers had just hours to save every single person before nightfall. They succeeded.

The gondola system, Asia's highest cable car at over 13,000 feet, developed a technical fault on Monday afternoon around 1:20 PM. Sixty-five cabins carrying tourists hung suspended in mid-air as strong winds and rain began lashing the mountain resort.

Within minutes of the distress call, fifteen specialized rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force mobilized. The Indian Army deployed all-terrain vehicles to navigate the challenging mountain terrain. Top police officials rushed to the scene to coordinate the complex operation.

For six tense hours, rescue teams worked cabin by cabin in worsening weather conditions. Every tourist was accounted for as teams carefully evacuated passengers from the dangling gondolas. By evening, all 320 people had been brought to safety.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah sent Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary directly to Gulmarg to oversee operations on the ground. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha monitored the situation throughout, ensuring no resource was spared.

The Ripple Effect

The successful rescue demonstrates how prepared emergency systems save lives when accidents happen. Kashmir's tourism industry depends on this cable car, which carries around 4,000 visitors daily through spectacular views of pine forests and rolling meadows. The quick, coordinated response between military, police, and disaster teams showed tourists their safety comes first.

Authorities immediately ordered the gondola closed for two days of thorough maintenance and safety checks. Technical teams are examining what caused the malfunction to prevent future incidents. The government announced a full inquiry with accountability for any lapses.

Ticket holders for May 25, 26, and 27 will receive complete refunds. Officials stressed that all necessary safety protocols would be strictly enforced before services resume.

"Tourists are our valued guests and every possible effort was made to ensure their safe rescue," Deputy Chief Minister Choudhary said after the operation concluded. What could have ended in tragedy instead became a story of swift action and teamwork bringing everyone home safely.