A 28-year-old woman was killed and six others injured after a ropeway car crashed while descending from a hilltop temple in Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh on Sunday, police said.
Namita Marcoli, sub-district magistrate of Baghbahra, said the accident occurred at around 10 am near Khalari in Bhimkhog village when the cable of the rickshaw broke.
“The chariot, which was carrying devotees returning from the Khalari Mata temple, fell from a height of about 200 to 300 feet,” she said.
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The deceased has been identified as Ayushi Satkar (28) of Raipur. Her husband Rishabh Davre (29) and her minor relative Chayansh Davre (16) were infected along with Govind Swamy (47), Namita Swamy (48) and two minors – Kushmita Swamy (10) and Manshvi Godaria (12).
Police officers said that all six injured people were initially taken to a nearby hospital, and four of them were later transferred to Raipur for further treatment.
The cable car service is widely used by devotees visiting the Khalari Mata Temple, located at an altitude of about 1,100 feet. Pilgrims can also reach the shrine by climbing nearly 900 steps. The victims had visited the temple during the ongoing Navratri festival.
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Following the accident, another vehicle carrying about 10 passengers, which had just started to board, was immediately returned to the base. Although the passengers in that vehicle experienced a strong shock, no serious injuries were reported.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed grief over the incident and ordered a detailed investigation. In a statement, he described the incident as “extremely tragic and painful,” extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, and directed officials to ensure proper treatment of the injured.
The authorities opened an investigation into the causes of the accident. Officials said that strict action would be taken against those found responsible.
In a similar incident last year, a BJP leader was injured when a rope carrier crashed from a low height near the Bamleshwari Devi hill shrine in Rajnandgaon district.
