A British couple has tragically died in a cable car accident near Naples, Italy, local authorities have confirmed.
The incident occurred on Thursday when a cabin on the Mount Faito cable car line plummeted to the ground following a cable failure.
Italian police reported that four people lost their lives in the crash, including three passengers and the operator of the cable car. One survivor was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released, but the UK Foreign Office has stated it is in contact with local officials to provide consular support.
Sixteen other individuals were safely rescued from a second cabin which was located near the base of the mountain at the time of the accident. Emergency crews used a winch system to bring the passengers to safety.
According to local officials, early indications suggest a traction cable snapped, causing the cabin to fall. While the emergency braking system activated on the lower part of the line, it failed to engage on the cabin that was nearing the summit.
The Mayor of Castellammare di Stabia, where the cable car system is based, said routine safety checks had been carried out on the line, which runs over three kilometres from the town up to Mount Faito.
Prosecutors have now opened an investigation to determine the cause of the failure and whether any negligence was involved.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, speaking during a trip to Washington, expressed her condolences to the families affected by the tragedy.
The Mount Faito cable car has been in operation since 1952, but this is not the first fatal incident. In 1960, another accident on the same line claimed four lives.
As authorities continue their investigation, safety concerns surrounding Italy’s mountain transport systems are once again under scrutiny.
