More than 100 people were trapped in cable cars suspended more than 3,000 metres above the French Alps after high winds reportedly resulted in a mechanical failure.
Dozens of tourists were at the centre of a dramatic rescue operation in Mont Blanc on Wednesday as a rescue helicopter was scrambled to the scene.
Police said 110 people became trapped in the panoramic Vallee Blanche Cable Car that rises to an altitude of 3,778 metres (12,395ft) just before 5.30pm.
The cable car connects the famed Aiguille du Midi peak to the Pointe Helbronner and takes 30-35 minutes.
The cause behind the fault is unknown at this stage but initial reports suggested high winds may have caused the cable cars to become stuck.
Le Dauphine reported 65 people have been rescued mid-air after French, Italian and Swiss emergency teams launched an operation.
The website said the operation had been suspended for the night but food, water and survival blankets had been distributed.
Large numbers of tourists visit the attraction for spectacular close-up views of the Mont Blanc range, western Europe’s tallest mountains.
Mathieu Dechavanne, chief executive of the company which manages the cable cars, told La Vanguardia: 'This will take some time but the weather is good.
“We are in contact with customers. They have water and means to communicate.”
Chamonix mayor Eric Fournier added: "There's nothing fundamentally to fear".
