Six people died on Saturday when a cargo trolley transporting construction materials for the Pavagadh Hill temple ropeway malfunctioned and fell in Gujarat’s Panchmahal district, officials said.
The accident occurred near the base of the hill, close to the first tower of the cable, Panchmahal Collector Ajay Dahiya confirmed. Panchmahal DSP Harsh Dudhaat said police and fire brigade teams were immediately deployed for rescue and relief operations.
“The impact of the fall occurred near the base point, close to the first tower of the cable,” Dahiya noted, though the precise height from which the trolley fell remains unconfirmed.
The victims included two lift operators, two labourers, and two others accompanying the trolley, authorities said.
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The main passenger ropeway, used by pilgrims to reach the temple summit, had been closed to the public since the morning due to adverse weather.
Pavagadh Hill rises in three stages from Champaner, with its plateau at approximately 1,471 feet above sea level. The temple, dedicated to Goddess Kali, draws nearly 2.5 million devotees annually. Pilgrims typically climb nearly 2,000 steps or use cable cars to reach the summit.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether equipment failure or negligence caused the tragedy. The state government is expected to review safety protocols, particularly given the high footfall and heavy reliance on cable transport.
Rescue operations continued through the evening, with officials urging the public to avoid the area until the site is fully cleared and deemed safe.
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