Six dead as wire of cargo ropeway snaps at Pavagadh Hill temple in Gujarat

Representational Image. File Pic

In a tragic incident at Pavagadh Hill in Gujarat, six people lost their lives after the cable wire of a cargo ropeway snapped at the renowned temple, officials said. The temple is located in Panchmahal district, and the mishap occurred in the early hours of Saturday, a police official confirmed.

Superintendent of Police Haresh Dudhat told PTI that all six deaths have been recorded. "Police and fire brigade teams were at the spot for rescue and relief operations," he added.

The Pavagadh Hill temple is situated at a height of around 800 metres. Pilgrims usually have the option of climbing nearly 2,000 steps or using cable cars to reach the summit.

"The ropeway for use by the public has been shut since morning due to inclement weather," an official said, according to PTI.

Pavagadh Hill rises from Champaner in three stages, with its plateau lying at an altitude of 1,471 feet. The hilltop temple, dedicated to Goddess Kali, is a major pilgrimage site and attracts around 2.5 million visitors every year. The hill is not only a religious landmark but also a popular tourist destination, drawing devotees and sightseers alike.

Father-daughter duo killed as truck hits two-wheeler in Thane district

In a tragic incident in Maharashtra, a father and daughter were crushed to death after a truck collided with their two-wheeler on the Mumbai-Nashik Highway in Thane district on Friday. The victims were identified as Rajesh Adhikari (39) and his 11-year-old daughter, Vedika.

According to police, the duo was returning to their home in Shahapur after visiting a relative for the Ganesh festival when the truck rammed into their vehicle around 3 pm. The impact caused both father and daughter to be run over, leaving them dead at the spot.

"A case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and the Motor Vehicles Act has been registered against the truck driver, who has been arrested," a police official said, as reported by PTI.

Both incidents highlight the vulnerability of citizens to accidents, whether during religious pilgrimages or on busy highways. Authorities in Gujarat and Maharashtra have urged people to exercise caution, especially in adverse weather conditions or while travelling on high-traffic roads.

Rescue and relief operations at Pavagadh Hill are ongoing, and officials continue to investigate the ropeway accident to ascertain the cause of the cable snapping. In Thane, police said they would continue probing the circumstances of the collision to ensure strict action against the truck driver.

(With PTI inputs)