According to officials, 310 tourists, including families and children, were trapped inside 65 cabins suspended high above the mountainous terrain. The malfunction triggered an immediate emergency response involving the Indian Army, police personnel, disaster response teams, and local residents, who jointly launched an intensive rescue mission under stormy conditions.
Rescue teams used ropes, ladders, and rappelling techniques to safely evacuate stranded passengers from the cabins one by one. The operation continued for several hours as officials worked carefully to ensure the safety of every tourist trapped inside the suspended gondola cabins. Despite the difficult weather and high-altitude conditions, authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported during the entire rescue mission.
Senior military officer Major General Puneet Doval personally supervised and participated in the operation, leading coordinated efforts on the ground alongside civil and security agencies. The large-scale evacuation was completed successfully by around 8 p.m., with all 310 tourists rescued safely.
Large Scale Rescue Operations at Gulmarg Gandola by Trained Teams in Progress.
— NORTHERN COMMAND - INDIAN ARMY (@NorthernComd_IA) May 25, 2026
Swift and coordinated rescue efforts by #ChinarCorps, #IndianArmy and #Gulmarg Gandola operators are underway after ropeway cabins got stranded mid-air.
65 cabins were stranded and till now 80… pic.twitter.com/uPhCzYkiq6
The rescue operation drew praise from senior national leaders. Union Home Minister Amit Shah commended the coordinated response and bravery displayed by the rescue teams. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also praised the courage, professionalism, and swift action of the Army personnel, police officers, disaster response teams, and local volunteers involved in the operation.
The incident highlighted both the risks associated with high-altitude tourism infrastructure and the effectiveness of coordinated emergency response systems during critical situations. The successful evacuation of all 310 tourists without any injuries stood as a significant example of rapid disaster management and operational resilience under extreme weather conditions in the Himalayan region.
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