Jharkhand Ropeway Mishap: IAF Says 35 Rescued While Facing ‘Unique Challenges’

The Indian Air Force (IAF), in close coordination with NDRF, local administration and Army, on Tuesday completed the rescue of 35 stranded persons from the Trikut Hills Ropeway Service, in the Deoghar district of Jharkhand.

According to the statement by the Ministry of Defence, IAF utilised two Mi-17V5, one Mi-17, one Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and one Cheetah to fly more than 26 hours towards this effort. Having inducted in the early hours on 11 April 2022, IAF carried out an initial recce for preparations towards an operation which presented unique challenges.

The contingent included five Garud commandos of the IAF, who climbed onto the stranded trolleys of the cable cart, while being attached to the helicopter’s winch cable, accessing it from outside, strapping up each survivor individually and getting them winched up and into the helicopter hovering overhead. Smaller children were carried up to the helicopter by the Garuds themselves.

The statement said, “The helicopter crew was faced with their own challenges where they had to maintain a steady hover, with practically no visual reference, in conditions of strong winds in the hilly terrain. The crew went from one trolley to the next to carry out their task, which was as risky for the crew as it was for the survivors of the mishap.”

The rescue operation which spread over two days saw two unfortunate incidents despite best efforts from the IAF.

“The IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives of these two individuals and expresses its deepest condolences to their families. The IAF reaffirms its commitment to providing support, succour and relief to our citizens always and every time,” read the statement.