Gujarat: Cable wire of cargo ropeway snaps, 4 workers among 6 dead

Confirming the accident, Panchmahal district Superintendent of Police Haresh Dudhat told The Indian Express that the bodies have been retrieved and sent for post-mortem examination.

Among the deceased were two lift operators, two workers and two other persons, who were travelling in the ropeway, when the incident occurred at around 3.30pm.

SP Dudhat said, “The ropeway accident at Pavagadh took place around 3.30 pm on Saturday. The cabin of the ropeway came crashing to the ground and the six persons, who were on board were killed… The bodies have been retrieved and sent for post-mortem examination. An accidental death case has been lodged at Pavagadh police station”.

“A probe has been launched into the matter. In case there is negligence found during the probe, action will be taken accordingly,” said the SP.

As a precaution following the crash and due to the weather conditions, the ropeway meant for tourists was also suspended later in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, cranes were deployed to remove the wreckage of the ropeway to allow the fire department to pull out the bodies.

A police official, on the condition of anonymity, told The Indian Express that the occupants of the goods ropeway cabin were killed due to impact as well as injuries from the metal of the cabin during the crash.

President of the Kalika Mata trust that controls the Mahakali temple in the Pavagadh hills, Surendra Patel, told The Indian Express that the incident occurred while the operators were checking the ropeway.

Patel said, “The unfortunate incident occurred when the operators were checking the material ropeway… It slipped and six persons were killed. There were four employees of the contractor and two other persons in the cabin… The police are probing the matter.”

The deceased have been identified as Mohammad Anwar Mohammad Sharif Khan and Balwant Singh Dhaniram, ropeway operators hailing from Jammu and Kashmir. Two workers Bhairavlal Rathilal Jat and Hitesh Baria as well as security guard of the temple Dilipsinh Koli and a flower vendor Suresh Mali are among those dead.

The bodies of the six deceased were taken to the Sub District hospital for a post mortem Jaydhratsinh Parmar BJP MLA from Halol who visited the site of the accident as well as the Sub District hospital, told media persons. ” It is an extremely unfortunate incident, as per a primary probe the cable of the goods ropeway snapped after the cabin began to ascend the hill. A detailed probe would be carried out by the police.”

Deputy Collector of Panchmahal District KK Patel said, ” The police have initiated its probe in the matter, a mamlatdar and a Sub Divisional Magistrate have visited the site and are also conducting an inquiry if any negligence is found appropriate action would be taken.