Deoghar Trikut Ropeway Accident: Two Mi-17 helicopters for rescue operation

Deoghar, April 11 (H.S.): The Indian Air Force and NDRF teams are running a rescue operation to rescue people stranded on the Trikut ropeway in Deoghar. 48 people are trapped in different trolleys at an altitude of about 2000 feet, since Sunday evening. So far 18 people have been evacuated in the Air Force operation that started on Monday morning.

Jharkhand’s only ropeway present in Trikut mountain of Deoghar district started from Down station at around 4:30 pm on Sunday. Within a few minutes, the roller of the UTP station of the ropeway located on the top of the mountain suddenly broke. First, a trolley from the top fell into the gorge 40 feet below, wherein five people were aboard. Local people and ropeway personnel together pulled out the people trapped in that trolley.

During the accident, the bottom two trolleys collided with a rock. All the people on board were injured. A large number of people got trapped in the trolleys. NDRF team started the rescue operation on Sunday night and rescued 12 tourists, but due to dark, the operation had to be called off. Among those rescued yesterday, Sumanti Devi (40), resident of Patharadda, Sarath, has died, condition of three including a child is critical. Most of the injured are from Bihar.

Air Force, along with ITBP and NDRF, also joined the rescue operation on Monday morning. The Air Force has deployed two Mi-17 helicopters for rescue work, where 48 people are trapped. Helicopters are evacuating the people trapped in the trolleys.

Since the accident, local MP Nishikant Dubey, Deputy Commissioner of the district Manjunath Bhajantri and many top officials have been camping on the spot. Deputy Commissioner said, the ropeway service has been stopped and the injured have been admitted to the Sadar Hospital in Deoghar for treatment. Top officials of the Deoghar district administration have also reached the spot and are trying to evacuate the people as soon as possible.

Chief Minister expressed deep grief over the accident

Chief Minister Hemant Soren has expressed grief over the accident. He told reporters at Ranchi airport that after this accident, relief and rescue operations are being carried out on a war footing. Efforts are being made to evacuate the people safely. The help of experts is being taken and the government is closely watching this accident, continuous instructions are being given by the government for relief and rescue operations.