Over 300 Tourists Rescued After Gulmarg Gondola Cable Car Develops Mid-Air Technical Snag
A major tragedy was averted in Jammu and Kashmir’s Gulmarg on Monday after over 300 tourists were safely rescued when a technical malfunction caused the Gulmarg Gondola cable car system to halt mid-operation.
According to officials, the fault was detected during operations on the first phase of the gondola service, prompting an immediate shutdown of both upward and downward routes as a precautionary measure. As a result, several cabins remained suspended mid-air for nearly an hour.
Emergency response teams were quickly deployed and carried out a coordinated rescue operation to evacuate all stranded passengers from the cable cars. Authorities confirmed that all tourists were brought down safely without any injuries.
Following the incident, gondola services have been suspended until a complete technical inspection and safety review is conducted. Officials said restoration work is already underway, but services will resume only after ensuring full operational safety.
Authorities reassured visitors that the situation remained under control throughout the operation and there was no cause for panic. They also urged tourists to remain calm while maintenance and safety checks are completed.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on social media that the administration was closely monitoring the situation and that all passengers had been safely evacuated. He added that there was no reason for alarm as trained teams handled the situation efficiently.
The incident has once again highlighted the importance of strict safety protocols and rapid emergency response systems at high-altitude tourist destinations such as Gulmarg.
