The first five children have reached safety almost 300 meters from the gondola lift. Darkness has interrupted the operation, the rest of those stuck in the elevator have to wait in the heights overnight.
In Pakistan, five children have been rescued from a gondola lift hanging almost 300 meters away. Two children and their teacher are still stuck in the elevator.
The children were rescued in the helicopter one by one, with local people watching and cheering for the successful rescue efforts.
The lift hangs at a height of 275 meters in a mountainous area. A cable elevator in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was left hanging this morning when one of the cables pulling it broke midway.
The rescue operation has been difficult and dangerous because of the strong wind in the area. It is also feared that the rotation of the helicopter’s rotor will make the lift even more unstable.
The operation has been suspended as darkness has descended on the area. Rescue work will continue in the morning.
Text changed at 20:10 – five children saved already.