J&K CM orders probe into Gulmarg cable car crash

The Jammu and Kashmir government today ordered a high level inquiry into the tragic incident at Gulmarg in which a family of four from Delhi and three local youth were killed.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti announced this as she expressed grief and shock over the deaths.
Mufti, who was herself monitoring the rescue operations, also announced ex-gratia relief of Rs five lakh in favour of the next of kin of the deceased, an official spokesman said.
He said the chief minister also directed a high level inquiry to find the causes or lapses, if any, that led to the accident.

Four members of a Delhi family and three tourist guides were killed when a cable car came crashing down after a ropeway snapped in midair in the skiing destination of Gulmarg today, police said.
A tree, uprooted by strong winds, fell on the ropeway of the Gulmarg Gondola, an official said. It severed the lines and the cable car plummeted to the ground, he said.

The chief minister has also conveyed grief and condolences to the families of the three local youth who were also killed in the same accident, the spokesman said.
As the news of the accident was received, he said, a team of officers led by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Khan supervised the rescue at the spot.

The bodies of the deceased are being sent to their homes while as the injured have been shifted to hospital, he said.