Gulmarg gondola malfunction: J&K CM Omar Abdullah orders probe

An investigation has been announced into the Gulmarg gondola malfunction that left over 300 tourists stranded in mid-air for hours, with action to be taken if any lapses are found.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced on Monday that an investigation will be conducted into the gondola malfunction in Gulmarg, which left over 300 tourists stranded in mid-air for hours.

He assured that action would be taken if any lapses were found.

The tourists were trapped inside 65 cabins of the famous Gulmarg Gondola cable car after a major technical issue halted Asia's highest ropeway, causing panic among the holidaymakers before they could be rescued.

A massive, multi-agency rescue operation that lasted seven hours ensured the safe evacuation of all passengers, some of whom were trapped in cabins dangling nearly 500 ft above the ground, officials said.

''The incident will be thoroughly examined and an enquiry conducted. Responsibility for any lapses will be fixed and appropriate action taken,'' the office of J-K chief minister said in a post on X.

The chief minister praised the efforts of all agencies, rescue teams, and personnel involved in the successful evacuation of tourists stranded.

''He commended the swift response, coordination and professionalism displayed during the rescue operation, which ensured the safe evacuation of all tourists,'' the post read further.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Indian Army's Chinar Corps worked jointly for hours to complete the safe evacuation of all people, officials said.

The Gulmarg Gondola, one of the highest cable cars in Asia, has experienced technical halts in the past, including a temporary suspension in January last year.