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About 300 tourists rescued after major Gulmarg Gondola malfunction; locals hailed for helping rescue

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25 May 2026

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Ziraat Times Team Report

Srinagar, May 25: A major technical fault in the famed Gulmarg Gondola cable car system on Sunday triggered a large-scale rescue operation after nearly 300 tourists were left stranded mid-air in suspended cabins for hours, officials and eyewitnesses said.

The incident led to panic among visitors as multiple gondola cars came to a halt at varying heights along the ropeway, one of the highest cable car systems in the world and a major attraction in Kashmir’s tourism sector.

Rescue teams from the Jammu & Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC), J&K Police, Fire and Emergency Services Department, local administration, and other emergency personnel immediately launched evacuation efforts soon after the malfunction was reported. However, what drew widespread attention and appreciation was the spontaneous participation of local volunteers, tourist guides, pony handlers, and even fellow visitors, many of whom joined the rescue mission despite difficult terrain and personal risk.

Eyewitnesses said stranded tourists, including women and children, were evacuated using both standard safety procedures and improvised non-conventional methods in areas where access proved difficult due to altitude and weather conditions.

Several local guides and horse handlers climbed steep mountain stretches to reach vulnerable points and assist rescue personnel in reassuring tourists and facilitating evacuation.

Officials said the operation continued for several hours as teams worked cautiously to bring stranded passengers to safety one cabin at a time. Medical teams were also deployed at the base stations to assist tourists suffering from panic, exhaustion, or cold exposure.

Meanwhile, the Office of Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the government was closely monitoring the situation.

In a post on social media, the Chief Minister’s Office stated: “Government is closely monitoring the situation at the Gulmarg Gondola after the cable car service was temporarily halted due to a technical fault. All cabins remain intact and rescue operations to safely evacuate stranded tourists are underway with trained teams on the ground. The situation is completely under control and there is no cause for panic.”

While the exact cause of the technical snag was not immediately known, officials said a detailed inspection of the gondola system had been initiated and services would remain suspended until safety clearance is issued.

The incident once again highlighted the critical importance of emergency preparedness and maintenance protocols at high-altitude tourism infrastructure in Jammu & Kashmir, particularly during the peak tourist season when footfall remains high.

At the same time, the rescue operation witnessed an outpouring of local support that many tourists described as deeply moving.

“The locals risked their own safety to help complete strangers. It showed the real spirit of Kashmir,” said a tourist from Maharashtra after being rescued.

Videos circulating on social media showed volunteers assisting frightened tourists, coordinating with rescue staff, and helping carry children and elderly visitors across difficult slopes after evacuation.

Many social media users hailed the efforts of local residents and tourism workers as a reflection of Kashmir’s long-standing tradition of hospitality and protecting guests during times of crisis.

Tourism stakeholders said the conduct of volunteers during the emergency reinforced the human side of Kashmir’s tourism industry, where local communities often become first responders during difficult situations in remote tourist destinations.

Senior officials are expected to review the incident and assess operational safety mechanisms to prevent recurrence of such faults in the future.

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