Stranded students, teachers cling to hope and prayer amid frantic rescue efforts

Experts say the rescue operation requires time and patience

BATTAGRAM (Dunya News) - A highly-trained team of army has begun efforts to rescue the teachers and schoolchildren stranded mid-air on a chairlift in Allai Pashto area of Battagram district.   

Reports said two teachers and six schoolchildren were stranded mid-air when one of the two cables snapped during the course of travel around 7am. As the word got round, there was panic in the area but no immediate measure could be taken. 

After a couple of hours, the authorities realised the gravity of the situation and Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar took notice of the incident and ordered prompt action to rescue the stranded people. 

Meanwhile, army sprang into action and sent a team of the Special Services Group which launched the sling operation. The commandoes were sent from Peshawar.

Another helicopter joined the rescue operation according to media reports.

The KP chief minister also directed the authorities concerned to utilise all availabe resources to rescue the teachers and schoolchildren.

بٹگرام کے علاقہ آلائی میں چئیر لفٹ کیبل ٹوٹنے کا واقعہ، نگران وزیراعلی محمد اعظم خان نے معاملے کا نوٹس لے لیا۔ وزیراعلی کا فوری طور پر چیف سیکرٹری سے رابطہ • وزیراعلی محمد اعظم خان کا چئیر لفٹ میں پھنسے افراد کو بحفاظت ریسکو کرنے کے لئے ہنگامی بنیادوں پر اقدامات اٹھانے کی ہدایت pic.twitter.com/WTEsonkcBZ

— Chief Minister KP (@KPChiefMinister) August 22, 2023

Those in the know of the efforts being undertaken to rescue the stranded people said it was a "unique operation" and had to be carried out with a great deal of caution as the helicopter had to be carefully taken to the place to avoid unnecessary air pressure near the chairlift. 

They said the rescue operation could take time and any hasty decision could prove counter-productive as it involved human lives. 

Rescue 1122 efforts 

Earlier, the district emergency officer said a team of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) had been sent for rescue activities. He said it's almost impossible to rescue the victims without a helicopter. 

A Rescue 1122 spokesman, Bilal Faizi, said it would take up to two and a half hours to reach the place. 

Prime Minister's tweet 

Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar directed the departments concerned to rescue the stranded people.

 

The chairlift accident in Battagram, KP is really alarming. I have directed the NDMA, PDMA and district authorities to urgently ensure safe rescue and evacuation of the 8 people stuck in the chairlift. I have also directed the authorities to conduct safety inspections of all such…

— Anwaar ul Haq Kakar (@anwaar_kakar) August 22, 2023

The prime minister in his X post said the chairlift accident in Battagram, KP was really alarming. "I have directed the NDMA, PDMA and district authorities to urgently ensure safe rescue and evacuation of the 8 people stuck in the chairlift." 

"I have also directed the authorities to conduct safety inspections of all such private chairlifts and ensure that they are safe to operate and use."

Information Minister 

Caretaker Minister for Information Murtaza Solangi said the rescue operation was in “full swing”.

The rescue operation in Battagram is in full swing. The relevant authorities including ministry of information will continue updating what is happening on the ground.

— Murtaza Solangi (@murtazasolangi) August 22, 2023

 First-hand information 

Gulfraz, one of those trapped in the chairlift, told media that they had been stranded for six hours and one of the children had been unconscious for quite some time as he had cardiac issues. He said the chairlift was precariously hung as strong wind was blowing and an immediate rescue operation was the need of the hour. 

He said there was no water and the mobile phone battery was losing its charging, so communication might not be possible. 

According to the details provided by the PDMA, the people stranded in the chairlift were Ibrar, Irfan, Gulfraz, Usama, Rizwanullah, Attaullah, Niaz Muhammad and Sher Nawaz. 

Allai Assistant Commissioner Jawad Hussain said two helicopters - one of Pakistan Army and the other of Pakistan Air Force - were on the spot. He said the operation was being conducted by the armed forces’ special unit.

Media reports said a commando had tried two times to approach the cable car. The helicopter moved away and a backup helicopter is flying above the cable car.

The AC said the Rescue 1122 teams would start efforts from the ground via a snorkel if the choppers fail to rescue the trapped people.

“We have also called locals from Shangla’s Besham who have experience in conducting similar rescue operations near the Diamer-Bhasha dam,” the AC added.

He said the Rescue 1122 teams were trying to spread nets under the cable car. 

The cable car is privately run by locals for transportation across rivers as no roads or bridges are constructed in the area.

Although the height where the students and teachers are stranded is not yet known, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) estimated it to be 1,000-2,000ft. 

Shariq Riaz Khattak, a rescue official, told Reuters that the rescue mission was complicated due to gusty winds in the area and the fact the helicopters’ rotor blades risk further destabilising the lift. Moreover, sunset in Battagram is expected at 6:48pm. 

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expresses concerns  

Former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto said in a statements that helicopters should be sent to save the children and teachers in the chairlift.

He also prayed for the safety of the children and teachers trapped in the chairlift.

More to Follow....