In Pakistan, a successful rescue operation managed to save a minimum of four children and other individuals who were stranded 900 feet in the air within a cable car. This situation occurred due to the snapping of one of the cables, leaving the occupants suspended for several hours until rescue teams could intervene. Shifting to different news, Thai legislators made their decision on Tuesday (August 22) to elect tycoon Srettha Thavisin as the new prime minister of Thailand, culminating a period of three months marked by political turmoil. This event coincided with the return of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from exile. The spotlight is also on Chandrayaan-3’s upcoming soft landing on the moon, with the commencement of the 24-hour countdown.
Three people are still stuck inside the dangling car but the Special Services Group (SSG) have reportedly halted the helicopter rescue operation now due to light issues. However, a separate ground mission has now started to rescue the remaining people. Under the mission, a small gondola will be sent near the affected cable car using the same cable and people will be rescued individually.

The gondola will also be used to deliver food and other essential items to the cable car.
The chairlift is dangling in the middle of a deep ravine surrounded by towering mountains and a rocky surface, along with the Jhangri river beneath it, Pakistan’s Dawn reported.

Earlier, Pakistan’s armed forces began the rescue operation after local authorities failed to initiate the missions due to difficult terrain and a lack of resources.

Helicopters of Pakistan Army Aviation and Pakistan Air Force were present at the site and were struggling to rescue the stranded persons.

How grave is the situation?
Gulfaraz, a 20-year-old currently stuck on the chairlift, informed Pakistan’s Geo News via phone that there was not even drinking water on board.

He mentioned that a 16-year-old passenger, who has a heart condition, has been unconscious for the past three hours. Gulfraz explained that the teenager was en route to the hospital using the chairlift.

Gulfaraz said that the initial wire broke at 7 AM, followed by the breakdown of another cable shortly after. Since early morning, the passengers have been awaiting help.
Meanwhile, Interim Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar has directed authorities to rescue all individuals stuck on the chairlift. He urged national and provincial disaster management agencies to utilise available resources and enforce safety measures for cable cars in mountainous regions.