Turkey left one person dead and seven injured when a pod hit a pole, causing passengers to plummet to the mountainside below. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon, during the busy Eid al-Fitr holiday, near the Mediterranean city of Antalya.
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Rescue operations ensued immediately, with a massive effort involving hundreds of personnel and helicopters. After nearly 24 hours, all 174 stranded individuals were successfully rescued.
On Friday, a cable car pod collided with a pole, leading to its rupture and the fall of passengers. The deceased was identified as a 54-year-old Turkish man, while seven others sustained injuries, including two children and one Kyrgyz national.
A total of 607 search and rescue personnel, along with 10 helicopters, participated in the Antalya operation. Teams from various emergency response agencies, including AFAD, the Coast Guard, and firefighting teams, collaborated to rescue the stranded individuals.
Initially, 174 individuals were stranded in the cable cars, which were immobilized following the accident. Among them were families and children, enduring hours suspended in the air.
Helicopters with night-vision capabilities continued rescue efforts throughout the night. Seven helicopters and over 500 rescue workers, including specialist mountaineers, remained engaged in the operation until all passengers were safely evacuated.
Survivors recounted their experiences, including power outages, pod flipping, and fear of the swaying cables. Istanbul resident Hatice Polat described the night as awful and torturous.
Following the accident the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation. An expert commission, comprising mechanical and electrical engineers, as well as health and safety experts was tasked with determining the cause of the incident.
The cable car line operated by the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality underwent routine inspections throughout the year.
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Preliminary findings suggested issues such as corrosion and inadequacy at connection points, leading to the Antalya cable car accident.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced detention orders for 13 individuals allegedly involved in the accident.
Suspects included employees of the operating company and those responsible for maintenance and repair. The rescue operation spanned nearly 24 hours, involving a massive mobilization of resources.
A total of 607 search and rescue personnel and 10 helicopters were deployed, including teams from Turkey’s emergency response agency, AFAD, the Coast Guard, firefighting teams, and mountain rescue teams. Rescue efforts persevered until all 174 stranded individuals were safely brought to the ground.
The deceased was identified as a 54-year-old Turkish man, while the injured comprised six Turkish citizens and one Kyrgyz national, including two children. The severity of the injuries varied, with none deemed critical.
Istanbul resident Hatice Polat described how the power outage and pod flip plunged them into darkness. With children among the stranded, the situation became increasingly dire as hours passed.
Authorities launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident and hold accountable those responsible.
Preliminary findings pointed to corrosion and inadequacy at the connection points of the carrier poles, along with damage in the rolling system.
Thirteen individuals, including employees of the Antalya cable car operator and maintenance company, were issued detention orders as part of the ongoing inquiry.
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