A scenic cable car journey over the snow-covered mountains of Gulmarg turned into a frightening experience for nearly 300 tourists on Sunday after the renowned Gulmarg Gondola suffered a sudden technical malfunction, leaving several visitors stranded mid-air for hours.
Following the breakdown, authorities launched a massive rescue operation involving the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, paramilitary personnel, and Civil Defence teams to safely evacuate tourists trapped inside multiple suspended chair cars above the mountainous terrain.
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Officials stated that the technical snag occurred at around 1 pm, disrupting services in the first phase of the Gulmarg Gondola, one of the most popular tourist attractions in north Kashmir.
“A sudden technical fault affected operations in the first phase of the Gulmarg cable car service,” a senior official from the Gulmarg Development Authority said.
Rescue teams worked swiftly under challenging conditions to bring all stranded tourists to safety. No injuries or casualties were reported during the operation.
The Gulmarg Gondola is among the world’s highest cable car systems and attracts thousands of tourists every year for its panoramic views and access to skiing destinations. Authorities are expected to conduct a detailed technical inspection before resuming operations.
