Gulmarg Gondola Rescue 2026: How 300+ Tourists Were Saved After 7 Hours Mid-Air

 

Gulmarg Gondola cable car rescue 2026"

On May 26, 2026, one of India’s most popular mountain destinations witnessed both panic and heroism. The famous Gulmarg Gondola in Jammu & Kashmir, known as Asia’s highest operating cable car, suffered a major technical snag amid heavy rain and strong winds. Over 300 tourists were left stranded mid-air across 65 cabins for nearly seven hours before a massive rescue operation brought everyone to safety.

What Exactly Happened? 
The trouble began around 11:30 AM when sudden heavy rain and gusty winds hit the Gulmarg valley. The Gondola, which carries thousands of tourists daily from Gulmarg to Kongdori and then to Apharwat Peak at 13,500 feet, came to an abrupt halt between Phase 1 and Phase 2. Initial reports suggest a power fault triggered by water seepage in the control system, causing all 65 operational cabins to freeze on the ropeway.

With temperatures dropping and rain lashing the glass cabins, tourists including children, elderly visitors, and international travelers were stuck with no communication. Many cabins were suspended hundreds of feet above steep, forested slopes, making the situation extremely risky.

The 7-Hour Rescue Operation 
Within minutes, the J&K administration, Gulmarg Development Authority, Indian Army’s High Altitude Warfare School, and J&K Police launched a joint rescue mission. Because of the bad weather, helicopters could not be used. Instead, expert ropeway engineers and Army mountaineers climbed the towers manually.

Step 1: Backup generators were activated to try moving the ropeway slowly. When that failed, rescuers began a cabin-to-cabin evacuation. 
Step 2: Teams used auxiliary trolleys on the main cable to reach each stranded cabin. Tourists were secured with harnesses and lowered one by one using ropes. 
Step 3: Medical teams, hot drinks, and blankets were kept ready at Kongdori station. Children and senior citizens were given first priority. 

By 6:45 PM, after nearly seven hours, the last tourist was brought down safely. Officials confirmed zero casualties and only a few cases of mild hypothermia and anxiety, which were treated on site.

Tourist Reactions 
Many passengers praised the rescue teams. "We were scared when the cabin started shaking in the wind. But the Army jawans kept talking to us through megaphones. When they finally opened the door, we cried with relief," said Priya Sharma, a tourist from Delhi traveling with her 6-year-old son.

An Australian couple said, "We have been on cable cars worldwide, but we have never seen such a fast and disciplined rescue. Hats off to the teams."

Why This Matters 
The Gulmarg Gondola is the lifeline of Kashmir tourism, carrying over 7,000 people on peak days. It is also a key part of India’s winter sports scene. The incident has raised questions about maintenance checks during monsoon season. The administration has now ordered a full technical audit of the ropeway and announced that new weather sensors will be installed.

Gulmarg Still Safe for Tourists 
Authorities have confirmed that the Gondola will resume only after a complete safety clearance. Meanwhile, Gulmarg remains open. Hotels, trekking routes, and the golf course are fully operational. The quick, successful rescue has actually boosted confidence among travelers about safety standards in Kashmir.

Key Takeaway 
Nature is unpredictable in the mountains, but preparedness saves lives. The Gulmarg rescue of May 2026 will be remembered as an example of perfect coordination between civil administration and the Army under extreme conditions. For the 300+ tourists who lived through those seven hours, it was a terrifying experience that ended with a grateful journey back to solid ground.

Sanchita chatterjee