A cable car carrying eight people, including six children, became trapped over a deep ravine in Pakistan's northwest
The group, on their way to school, faced a dire situation when one of the cables snapped, leaving the car hanging precariously 274 meters (900 feet) above the ground.
The incident occurred in the remote, mountainous area of Battagram, a region where cable cars are a vital means of transport.
Amidst concerns for the passengers' safety, Pakistan's acting Prime Minister, Anwaar ul Haq Kakar, swiftly ordered a rescue mission.
The situation was deemed "alarming" as the passengers remained suspended for over four hours before the first army helicopter reached the scene.
Local media outlet Dawn.com reported that one of the students on board had fallen unconscious during the ordeal.
Gulfraz, one of the trapped individuals, made an urgent plea for help via a phone call to Pakistan television channel Geo News, stating, "For God's sake help us."
The passengers ranged in age from 10 to 15 years old, and their plight stirred emotions in the area, with Gulfraz describing the anguish of onlookers who gathered, desperately calling for authorities to intervene.
Efforts to effect the rescue were complicated by gusty winds, and concerns that the helicopter's rotor blades might further destabilize the already precarious cable car.
A rescue official on-site informed Reuters that while one helicopter had returned from a reconnaissance mission, another was being prepared for dispatch.
It was revealed that approximately 150 individuals undertake the hazardous cable car journey to school daily due to the limited transport options available in the region.
This incident has prompted urgent reflection on the safety of privately-operated chairlifts, leading to Prime Minister Kakar's directive to inspect and ensure their safety.