A devastating cable car accident near Naples, in southern Italy, has resulted in the tragic deaths of four tourists, according to emergency services. The incident occurred at Mount Faito, where one cabin plummeted to the ground, leaving another individual with severe injuries who was subsequently airlifted for urgent medical attention.
Details of the accident
Reports indicate that the cable car was nearing the summit of Mount Faito when a key support cable snapped. At the time of the incident, a second cable car was stationed lower in the valley, and 16 passengers were successfully rescued and brought to safety via helicopter.
The regional president, Vincenzo De Luca, confirmed that all the deceased individuals were tourists. In light of the harsh weather conditions, including fog, rain, and wind, rescue operations faced considerable challenges, complicating access to the crash site. The cable car was operating at an elevation of approximately 1,100 meters above sea level.
Investigation and safety measures
According to local officials, it is suspected that a traction cable may have failed, leading to the catastrophe. The mayor of Castellammare di Stabia, the town from which the cable car operates, stated, “The emergency brake downstream worked but clearly not the one on the cabin that was about to reach the top of the hill.” He assured that regular safety inspections had been conducted on the three-kilometer long cable car line.
The EAV public transport company, which operates the cable car service, expressed their condolences on social media, labeling the incident as “a tragedy.” As investigations continue, there are heightened concerns regarding the safety protocols in place for such cable car operations.
“The emergency brake downstream worked but clearly not the one on the cabin that was about to reach the top of the hill.”