Rescuers bring down stranded cable car passengers in French Alps

The tourists were suspended above the glaciers of Mont Blanc at an altitude of about 3,800m (12,468ft) after wires carrying the cars became tangled, reported the BBC.

According to local source, high winds might have resulted in the wires getting tangled up.

Around 48 people were lifted from the cable cars by helicopter late on Thursday while around 30 people whose cable cars were closer to the ground level climbed down with help from rescuers, reported the media.

But over 30 people had to spend the night in the cable cars suspended mid-air and had to be rescued on Friday.

Rescuers provided provided blankets, food and water were in constant touch with those trapped and had to spend the night in the cable car, media reported.

Compagnie du Mont Blanc, the company which runs the cable car, said in a press release on Friday:

"Following preparation, during the night, of a new attempt to evacuate the cabines, the Compagnie du Mont Blanc confirms this morning success of the operation. The last 33 persons who spent the night in high altitude in the cabines have been safely evacuated. The Compagnie du Mont Blanc praises all evacuation teams, and the Compagnie du Mont Blanc teams involved, for the successful outcome of an exceptionally technical safety operation and underlines the exemplary conduct of the trapped persons, as well as their calmness in view of the situation which allowed the evacuation to be carried out in all serenity."

The cable cars connect the Aiguille de Midi peak in France, at 3,842m (12,605ft), to Pointe Helbronner in Italy, at 3,462m (11,358ft) and offer a panoramic view of Mont Blanc, the BBC reported.

Image: compagniedumontblanc.co.uk website