A major cable car accident in the Italian Alps has left six people injured, including a child, after a vehicle failed to slow down and crashed into a safety barrier.
Technical Fault Blamed for High-Altitude Impact
The incident occurred this morning at the Monte Moro station, situated in the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola region at an altitude of approximately 9,000 feet. According to initial reports, the cable car was approaching the station when it entered too fast and collided with the barrier.
Filippo Besozzi, the Director of Macugnaga Trasporti e Servizi, confirmed that a "technical error" was responsible for the failure to decelerate. Speaking to Corriere Torino, Besozzi explained, "We had a technical problem. The cable car didn't slow down enough when entering the station and therefore hit the safety barriers."
Injuries and Major Rescue Operation
The ascending cable car was carrying around fifteen passengers at the time of the crash. Emergency services, including the Italian emergency number 118, were swiftly dispatched to the scene.
One passenger sustained an arm injury, while the others, including the child, suffered minor grazes. All injured individuals were evacuated by helicopter for medical treatment.
The crash triggered a significant logistical challenge, leaving approximately 100 people stranded across the system. Besozzi stated that 94 people were gathered at the Basso Moro station, unharmed but requiring evacuation. "They are gathered inside the cable car and are obviously not affected by the accident, but they do need to be evacuated," he said.
Firefighters Work to Resolve Stranded Passenger Crisis
A large-scale rescue operation involving firefighters and helicopters is currently underway to bring all stranded passengers to safety. The remote, high-altitude location of the stations has complicated the evacuation efforts.
Despite the challenges, authorities are hopeful that the situation will be resolved promptly. Besozzi added, "I think everything will be resolved within a few hours." The priority remains the safe evacuation of all individuals caught up in the aftermath of this frightening incident.
