Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar expressed relief at the successful and safe rescue of all the children trapped in a chair lift in the city of Batgram, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The previous day, an extensive rescue operation lasting several hours was carried out to safely extract 8 individuals trapped in the chair lift at a local Pashto site in Batgram.
Rescue 1122 of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported that all 8 individuals who were stuck in the chair lift have been successfully rescued and brought to safety. The rescued individuals include Arfan, Niaz Muhammad, Rizwan, Gulfaraz, Sher Nawaz, Ibrar, Ataullah, and Osama.
Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar expressed his gratitude, thanking everyone involved in the successful rescue operation. He praised the efforts of the military, rescue officials, local administration, and the local populace for their remarkable teamwork.
Additionally, former Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, upon the completion of the rescue operation, stated in a message that this incident should serve as a lesson to focus on the development of education and infrastructure in such areas. He appreciated the attention to detail and dedication shown during the rescue operation, highlighting it as an exemplary display of skill and commitment.
The incident involved a chair lift malfunction at a Pashto site, resulting in the rope breaking. As a result, 8 individuals, including 6 school children, became stranded at an altitude of approximately 900 feet. The children were on their way to school around 7 AM when the first of the three ropes of the chair lift broke, leaving the lift suspended at a significant height.
One of the trapped individuals, Gulfaraz, recounted that 6 children and 2 adults had boarded the chair lift at 6 AM. By 7 AM, both the first and second ropes of the chair lift had snapped, causing it to become stuck about a mile into its journey.
Throughout the ordeal, Gulfaraz stayed in contact with Geo News and the rescue personnel, providing updates on the condition of those trapped inside the chair lift.
The successful rescue operation was a result of the combined efforts of various stakeholders, and it highlighted the importance of coordinated response and preparedness in emergency situations. The incident also underscored the need for continued focus on the development and safety of infrastructure, especially in remote and underserved areas.
