Four people were injured in a cable car accident in northwestern Italy on Tuesday. The incident occurred at the Macugnaga cable car station, which leads to the Monte-Moro pass at an altitude of 2,800 meters, near the Swiss border. Emergency services reported that no serious injuries were sustained despite the chaos.
Cable Car Details and Incident Overview
According to an Italian alpine rescue spokesperson, the cable car arrived at the upper station at an excessive speed, leading to the accident. Fire department officials reported that both cabins of the cable car collided with the structures of the upper and lower stations.
Injuries and Rescue Operations
- Three of the 15 passengers in the upper cabin were injured.
- The operator of the lower station also sustained injuries.
- The most seriously injured individual was a 59-year-old man with a broken arm.
Approximately 100 people found themselves stranded at the mountain top due to the cable car being out of service. Fortunately, all individuals were evacuated by helicopter roughly three hours after the accident occurred at 11:30 AM local time (5:30 AM EST).
Maintenance and Safety Checks
Filippo Besozzi, an administrator for the cable car company, confirmed that the cable car underwent renovations in 2023 and showed no significant damage. However, safety checks are currently being conducted to assess any potential issues. Initial reports mentioned that the cable car failed to decelerate properly before the impact, colliding with the barrier.
Context of the Accident
This incident arises during a peak ski season in the Alps. Many Italians and tourists flock to the region for the Christmas and New Year holidays. Notably, a tragic cable car accident occurred in May 2021 in Stresa, resulting in the deaths of 14 people, with only a five-year-old Israeli boy surviving.
