CHAMONIX, France, Sept. 8 (UPI) — Emergency personnel launched a high altitude rescue about 10,000 feet over eastern France on Thursday when more than 100 people became trapped in a broken-down cable car, officials said.
The Vallee Blanche gondola was traveling on its cable over the town of Chamonix Thursday afternoon when it stopped. It wasn’t immediately clear why the car became stalled.
French authorities launched a rescue effort to reach more than 100 stranded on the car, including helicopters to ferry riders down to the ground.
The Vallee Blanche Cable Car carries riders along glaciers and crevasses and connects the Aiguille du Midi peak to the Pointe Helbronner.
“The people stuck are being evacuated by helicopter,” Chamonix Mayor Eric Fournier said, also noting that Italian authorities are assisting in the rescue.
No injuries were reported and officials said those on the cable car were given food as they awaited rescue.
