Seven killed in cable car disaster

Three cable cars climbing to a hilltop temple in western India plunged to the ground after a support cable snapped today, killing seven passengers and injuring 24, police said.

Six cable cars were left dangling between two hills, far above the ground.

Indian air force helicopters hovered over them, lowering commandos on ropes who were pulling people trapped inside to safety.

As the rescue operation continued, nine out of 35 people stuck in the cars had been rescued, said

Narsinh Komar, police chief of Godhra district in Gujarat state, where the accident occurred.

The injured were taken to a hospital in Vadodara, 40 miles away.