Three tourists among 4 killed after Italian cable car crashes to the ground near Naples
Four Dead in Tragic Cable Car Crash in Italy
Three tourists were among four people who lost their lives in a devastating cable car crash that occurred south of Naples, Italy. The incident, which took place on Thursday, claimed the lives of a British woman, an Israeli woman, and the Italian driver of the cable car.
A fifth individual, believed to be a foreign tourist, sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Naples. The cable car accident occurred on Monte Faito in the town of Castellammare di Stabia when a traction cable snapped, causing one of the cars to crash after both the upward and downward-going cable cars came to a sudden halt.
The tragic event unfolded just a week after the cable car, known for its breathtaking views of Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples, had reopened for the season. Local prosecutors have launched an investigation into possible manslaughter, with a focus on inspecting the cable stations, pylons, cabins, and the cable itself.
Despite the severe weather conditions that complicated rescue efforts, emergency services, including Italy’s alpine rescue teams, over 50 firefighters, police, and civil protection personnel, worked tirelessly to assist the passengers involved in the accident.
The EAV public transport firm, responsible for operating the cable car service, emphasized that all necessary safety measures were in place when the seasonal cable car resumed operations. EAV President Umberto De Gregorio expressed bewilderment over the incident, stating that technical experts found no correlation between the weather conditions and the cause of the crash.
The Monte Faito cable car, which first opened in 1952, had experienced a fatal accident in 1960 when a pylon broke. Italy has seen similar tragic incidents involving cable cars in recent years, including a deadly crash in May 2021 that claimed the lives of 14 individuals, and a 1998 incident where a low-flying U.S. military jet severed the cable of a ski lift in Cavalese, resulting in 20 fatalities.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.
