“We are concerned about our children who are trapped inside the chairlift at a height of 900 feet. They are starving and would be frightened after the incident which is increasing our worries,” said Abdul Quyyum, father of Rizwan, who is among those trapped inside the cable car in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Battagram area.

Talking to Aaj News, he claimed that the authorities started the rescue operations after seven hours. The children are trapped inside from 7am early morning, he said.

The news of the cable car breakdown was reported early in the morning – estimated between 7am and 8 am when a video of the incident was shared with local reporters.

Footage showed a couple of men speaking in Pashto about the grave incident. It showed a cable car stuck in midair and a large number of people gathered on the ground to see the cable car.

People from across the areas arrived at the scene after being informed, however, the authorities were nowhere to be seen, Quyyum stated.

He went on to add that the rescue operation has not bear any fruits as the children are still trapped inside.

While he was providing details of the incident, authorities restricted him from sharing details. On inquiring, Quyyum told Aaj News that he has been directed to not discuss the incident.

Shahid Chaudhry, Aaj News correspondent also confirmed that more than 5,000 people have gathered around the area, including the mothers of those who are trapped inside. They were criticising the administration for not taking appropriate and timely action to ensure safety of the children, he said.