Chairlift in Pakistan leaves children trapped after cable snaps.

High winds impede the rescue of children and teachers stuck above a ravine. A cable break left six children and two teachers stranded 274 meters up on a chairlift in Pakistan. Despite attempts at a helicopter rescue, officials were unable to proceed due to strong winds.

The children and teachers, trapped since 7 am local time, were using the chairlift to reach their mountainous school near Battagram, about 125 miles from Islamabad.

Gulfraz, one of the stranded adults, contacted Pakistan’s Geo News channel seeking help. He confirmed eight people aboard and described deteriorating conditions, with one person losing consciousness. A helicopter arrived but couldn’t perform the rescue.

Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority reported a cable fracture, leading to an army helicopter dispatch after failed repair attempts. The chairlift, left hanging on one cable, became stuck mid-ravine after the other cable snapped, shared rescue official Shariq Riaz Khattak.

The rescue was complicated by turbulent winds and the risk of destabilizing the lift further, explained Khattak.

The remote location saw concerned crowds gathering as an army helicopter circled the suspended gondola, surrounded by lush mountains. Another helicopter was planned for dispatch soon.

Zulfiqar Khan from Pakistan’s 1122 rescue service mentioned, “Rescuing without a helicopter in this location is nearly impossible,” speaking to Agence France-Presse.

Inhabitants of Pakistan’s mountainous regions often depend on chairlifts for local travel.

Pakistan’s interim prime minister, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, expressed concern on Twitter, ordering safety checks on all private chairlifts for operational safety.