In a heart-wrenching accident on Thursday, April 17, four people lost their lives and one more was critically injured after a cable car plummeted to the ground in Monte Faito, a mountainous area just outside Naples, Italy. The cable car was operating between Castellammare di Stabia and the popular tourist destination of Monte Faito, known for its breathtaking views of Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples.
The tragedy occurred when the supporting cable snapped, sending the cable car crashing to the forested slopes below. Among the deceased were the cable car operator from a nearby town, two British tourists, and one Israeli tourist, according to reports from Italian media. A second Israeli tourist was also on board and remains in a stable but critical condition at a hospital in Naples.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy. Horrific and deeply painful,” wrote Umberto De Gregorio, chairman of the EAV public transport company that operates the cable car. He expressed shock over the incident, emphasizing that all safety inspections and legal checks were conducted before reopening the service for the spring-summer season just last week.
The cable car service, which transported over 113,000 passengers last year, is popular among tourists seeking scenic views and a peaceful escape. According to EAV’s website, it offers “a breathtaking panorama” during the ride to Monte Faito.
As news of the accident spread, emergency services rushed to the scene. Another cable car cabin, which had been heading in the opposite direction, was suspended mid-air near the base of the mountain. Thankfully, all nine passengers on that second car were rescued safely. Initial reports had mistakenly placed the number at 16.
Firefighters and mountain rescue teams carried out the delicate evacuation, lowering the stranded passengers one-by-one using harnesses. Their efforts were hampered by dense fog and strong winds, which complicated the already perilous rescue operation.
Vincenzo De Luca, president of the Campania region, expressed sorrow and solidarity with the victims’ families. “For Campania, this was a truly tragic and painful day,” he said in a statement.
Italian prosecutors in Torre Annunziata have opened an official investigation to determine the cause of the failure. There is growing pressure on authorities to uncover whether negligence or faulty equipment contributed to the disaster, especially since the cable system had reportedly passed all required safety checks.
The tragedy has drawn comparisons to a similar incident in 2021 when a cable car crash in northern Italy claimed 14 lives near Lake Maggiore. That disaster had sparked nationwide concern over infrastructure safety, which is now being rekindled in the wake of the Monte Faito crash.
As Italy grieves, the global travel community watches with heavy hearts, hoping for answers and accountability to prevent such horrors from recurring.
