World's highest cable car breaks, at least 7 people dead

The incident occurred on June 25 at the Gulmarg resort in Kashmir province, India, when a cable car line broke, killing at least 7 people, including children, BBC reported.

Cable car at Gulmarg. Photo: Getty

Local officials said strong winds uprooted a large tree, causing it to fall and break the cable car. The cabin carrying seven people, including two children, fell to the ground, killing all on board. Many people were trapped in other cabins higher up in the harsh weather and strong winds. Rescue work is still ongoing.

The victims have been identified as four members of a family from Delhi, including a couple and their two daughters. Three others were from Kashmir and Tangmarg.

According to local authorities, rescue teams are working to bring those trapped in the remaining 15 cabins down to safety and immediately repair the broken cable car line.

Omar Abdullah, former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, accused the local government of being “careless” in allowing the cable car system to operate in windy weather.

“The accident raises questions about why the cable car was not stopped in high winds. This is basic operating procedure,” Omar Abdullah tweeted shortly after the accident.

The Gulmarg cable car system is considered the highest in the world, at an altitude of 4,100m. From this cable car, visitors can see the snow-capped Himalayas all year round.

According to Dan Tri