GUWAHATI: More than 300 tourists stranded mid-air after a technical malfunction halted the Gulmarg Gondola in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, May 25, were rescued safely following a massive seven-hour operation involving multiple agencies.
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The incident occurred around noon when Asia’s highest ropeway suddenly stopped functioning, leaving nearly 300 tourists trapped inside 65 cabins, with some suspended almost 500 feet above the ground. Rescue teams from the Indian Army, SDRF, NDRF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a coordinated evacuation operation amid difficult weather conditions, including rain and strong winds.
Using ropes, ladders, and harnesses, rescuers lowered passengers one by one from the cabins in the steep and forested terrain. By late evening, all tourists were safely evacuated without any injuries or casualties.
The incident has once again raised concerns over maintenance standards and emergency preparedness at one of Kashmir’s most popular tourist destinations. Authorities have suspended gondola services until detailed technical inspections and safety checks are completed.