In a tense and urgent situation, six children and two teachers are trapped in a chairlift hanging perilously 900 feet above a ravine in Pakistan. The ordeal began when a cable snapped, leaving the group stranded since 7am local time. The children had been using the chairlift as a means of going to school in the rugged mountainous region of Battagram, located about 125 kilometers north of Islamabad.
Amidst the mountainous terrain, the National Disaster Management Authority of Pakistan issued a statement explaining that the cable break had occurred in the elevator service. After attempts to rectify the situation on the spot proved unsuccessful, an army helicopter was dispatched for a daring rescue operation. However, the mission is not without its challenges.
The chairlift, which got stuck halfway down the ravine, is suspended precariously by a single cable after the other broke. Shariq Riaz Khattak, a rescue official at the site, described the complexity of the situation to Reuters. Strong winds in the area pose a major obstacle to the rescue, as the helicopter’s rotor blades risk further destabilizing the already precarious lift.
Despite the difficult conditions, the rescue effort is unwavering. One helicopter conducted surveillance before withdrawing, while another will be deployed shortly. People living in the mountainous regions of northern Pakistan often rely on chairlifts as a means of transportation between villages, underscoring the critical importance of safe rescue.
Pakistan’s caretaker prime minister, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, expressed his concern on X (formerly known as Twitter). He announced that he has ordered authorities to conduct safety inspections of all private chairlifts to ensure their safe operation and use. As the rescue operation continues in the face of difficult conditions, the safety of the trapped children and teachers remains the top priority.
This article is sourced from and written by AI.
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