Deoghar ropeway accident: Rescue operations end after over 45 hours; 47 people rescued, three dead

MI-17 helicopters carry out rescue operations at the incident site where the ropeway trolley mishap took place, near Trikut, in Deoghar on Monday (ANI Photo)

New Delhi: All the tourists, who were trapped mid-air in cable cars connecting the Trikut Hills in Jharkhand's Deoghar district, have now been rescued, officials said on Tuesday (April 12, 2022). 

According to reports, three people have lost their lives after cable cars were left dangling mid-air due to a malfunction of the ropeway which resulted in trolley cars colliding on Sunday. 

Around 12 persons who sustained injuries are being treated in hospitals.

Teams of IAF, Indian Army, NDRF, ITBP and local administration were involved in rescue operations.

#IAF has recommenced rescue operations at Deoghar ropeway early morning today.

Efforts are on to rescue each and every stranded person at the earliest.#HarKaamDeshKeNaam pic.twitter.com/06PTraKHBC — Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) April 12, 2022

Indian Air Force continues operations for rescue of those stranded at the Deoghar ropeway.

Operations resumed early in the morning today.@IAF_MCC @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/ggGHK6g9xD — PRO Nagpur, Ministry of Defence (@PRODefNgp) April 12, 2022

On Monday, rescue operations had to be stopped after sunset as the ropeway runs through a picturesque yet densely forested area surrounded by hills, access to which is difficult except by air. The rescue operations from the ground is difficult as the trolleys are suspended at heights of up to 1500 feet.

Meanwhile, the Jharkhand High Court has taken cognizance of the ropeway incident and has ordered an inquiry into the matter. The court will hear the matter on April 26 and before that, the state government has to file a detailed inquiry report through an affidavit, news agency ANI reported.

Earlier on Monday, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren had announced a high-level probe into the mishap and had said that the administration was keeping a close vigil on rescue operations.

The area which boasts of the famous Trikutachal Mahadeva Temple and the hermitage of Sage Dayananda, Trikut Hills has several peaks, with the highest Peak at a height of 2,470 feet from the sea level and around about 1,500 feet from the ground.

The Trikut ropeway, according to the Jharkhand tourism department, is India's highest vertical ropeway and is around 766-metre long. 

(With agency inputs)