Tragedy Strikes as Cable Car Breaks Apart in Southern Turkey
A leisurely ride in a cable car turned into a nightmare for passengers in a mountainous area of southern Turkey on Friday. The cable car, ferrying eight terrified occupants, broke apart after colliding with part of the metal structure supporting it, sending them plummeting to the rocky hillside below.
One passenger tragically lost their life in the accident, while seven others sustained injuries. Nearly 200 more people were left stranded in other cabins, some of them suspended midair for hours as rescuers worked tirelessly to free them from the crippled line.
The incident occurred in the Sarisu area of Antalya Province, a popular tourist destination known for its sweeping views of the hills, the city of Antalya, and the Mediterranean Sea. The cable cars, which normally transport passengers to a high point on the mountain, were particularly busy on Friday evening as Muslims celebrated Eid, marking the end of Ramadan.
Rescue efforts involved helicopters, cranes, and hundreds of personnel, with a total of 174 people eventually evacuated from the scene. Thirteen individuals were taken to the hospital for treatment, according to Turkey’s interior minister.
Images from the site showed the broken cable car hanging above the ground, with other cabins still suspended on the line’s cables. Rescuers used tall cranes, safety straps, and metal baskets to evacuate the trapped occupants, including children, local residents, and foreign tourists.
As investigations into the accident begin, questions arise about the maintenance and safety protocols of the cable car line. Mayor Muhittin Bocek assured that regular maintenance had been conducted, with the latest yearly check completed earlier this year.
The harrowing ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with such attractions, highlighting the importance of stringent safety measures to prevent future tragedies.
