One person lost their life and 10 others were injured in Antalya, Turkey on Friday when a cable car cabin hit a broken pole, as reported by the interior ministry on Saturday.
At 5:23 p.m. (14:23 GMT) on Friday, twenty-four cabins were left hanging in the air. After sixteen hours, there were still more than 60 people stuck in the remaining nine cabins. Fortunately, 112 individuals were successfully rescued.
None of the individuals waiting to be rescued had serious injuries or were in bad health, according to Disaster and Emergency Management Authority chairman Okay Memis. He mentioned that the goal was to finish the rescue operation before sunset.
The interior ministry shared on social media platform X that seven helicopters and over 500 rescue workers were actively involved in the rescue mission.
Rescue personnel tied to safety ropes were shown climbing into cabins in a video released by the interior ministry.
The cable car, as stated on its website, has 36 cabins that can hold six people each. It takes around nine minutes to travel uphill to the Tunektepe facility, offering panoramic views of the city of Antalya.
Editor's P/S:
The tragic cable car accident in Antalya, Turkey, is a stark reminder of the risks inherent in such attractions. The loss of life and the injuries sustained by those involved are deeply saddening, and our hearts go out to the victims and their families. The swift and coordinated response by rescue workers is commendable, and it is heartening to know that the majority of those trapped in the cabins were eventually rescued safely.
This incident underscores the importance of rigorous safety inspections and maintenance protocols for all public transportation systems, including cable cars. It is crucial that operators prioritize the safety of passengers and ensure that all necessary measures are in place to prevent such tragedies from occurring. The authorities must conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of this accident and take appropriate steps to address any systemic issues or shortcomings in safety regulations.