More than 40 individuals found themselves stranded in cable cars high above a mountain in southern Turkey following a devastating incident that occurred on Friday. The accident, which took place at the Tunektepe cable car near Antalya, resulted in one fatality and seven injuries when one pod collided with a pole, causing it to rupture.
Rescue operations have been underway for over 19 hours, with 128 individuals in 16 pods successfully rescued so far. Efforts to save the remaining 43 individuals in eight pods are ongoing, with authorities aiming to complete the rescue mission before nightfall.
The deceased, a 54-year-old Turkish man, was identified by state-run Anadolu Agency. Among the injured were six Turkish citizens and one Kyrgyz national, including two children, who were airlifted to safety by Coast Guard helicopters.
The cable car, which transports tourists from Konyaalti beach to a restaurant and viewing platform at the summit of the 618-meter Tunektepe peak, is operated by Antalya Metropolitan Municipality. The line, completed in 2017, undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety.
Following the tragic incident, the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has initiated an investigation. An expert commission comprising mechanical and electrical engineers, as well as health and safety experts, has been tasked with determining the cause of the accident.
With a total of 543 first responders and seven helicopters involved in the rescue operations, including teams from AFAD, the Coast Guard, firefighting units, and mountaineering teams from various regions of Turkey, authorities are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of all individuals affected by the cable car incident.
