Deoghar: The Indian Air Force (IAF), in close coordination with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local administration and Army, completed the rescue of 35 stranded persons from the Trikut Hills Ropeway Service, in the Deoghar district of Jharkhand today.
The operation following the aerial cable car accident at Trikut Pahar Ropeway services was spread over two days. It also saw two deaths “due to the inherently difficult nature” of the rescue operation.
“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,” The IAF stated.
Having been inducted in the early hours on April 11, 2022, the IAF carried out an initial recce for preparations towards an operation that presented unique challenges and utilised two Mi-17V5, one Mi-17, one Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and one Cheetah to fly more than 26 hours towards its rescue effort.
The contingent included five Garud commandos of the IAF, who had the daunting task of climbing 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 IAF stated that 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.
– global bihari bureau
