Siliguri: Four tourists, including three women and a child, were killed and 11 others were seriously injured when two ropeway cars operating between Singameri and Tukver in Darjeeling of West Bengal detached from the cable and plummeted downhill, police said.

The accident occurred when the cable supporting the ropeway cars snapped in between the second and third pillars, Darjeeling superintendent of police Sanjay Chander told reporters.

Two other ropeway cars with eight to 10 passengers dangling in mid-air in between the first and second pillars could be safely brought down, he said.

Although Army help was sought for bringing down the cars, ropeway authorities were able to do it themselves, Chander said.

The condition of the 11 injured who were rushed to Darjeeling Sadar hospital was stated to be serious, the SP added.

PTI