Seven die in cable cars plunge

SEVEN people have been killed and more than 20 injured in a cable car accident in western India.

The cable carrying the cars up to a hilltop temple in Gujarat state snapped, causing three cars to fall, police said.

Indian air force commandos later rescued 37 people who were trapped in six cars left dangling between two hills.

The victims were on their way to pray to the goddess Durga.

At least 22 injured people were rushed to hospital in Vadodara, 40 miles away.

Four passengers died at the scene and three succumbed to their injuries later.

Crowds travel to the temple daily to offer prayers to the Hindu goddess Durga.

Cable car accidents are relatively rare.

In 1999, a cable car crashed at the French Alpine resort of Saint-Etienne en Devoluy, killing at least 20 people on board.