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Cable car accident in southern Italy kills at least four people

Italy’s alpine rescue was responding to the accident at Monte Faito in the town of Castellammare di Stabia.

By contributor Associated Press Reporters
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Italy Cablecar Accident
Rescuers recoup the body of one of the victims who died in a cable car crash south of Napes (Salvatore Laporta/AP)

A cable car carrying tourists in southern Italy crashed to the ground after a cable snapped, killing at least four people and critically injuring one, officials said.

The snapped cable brought both the upward and downward-going cable cars to a halt as they traversed Monte Faito in the town of Castellammare di Stabia, between the popular tourist areas of Pompeii and Sorrento, on Thursday.

Italy Cablecar Accident
The view from the cable car over Castellamare di Stabia, near Naples, Italy (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)

The upward cable car eventually crashed, causing the fatalities and injury, while eight tourists and an operator were evacuated from the downward cable car, Naples prefect Michele de Bari said.

“The traction cable broke. The emergency brake downstream worked, but evidently not the one on the cabin that was entering the station,” said Castellammare mayor Luigi Vicinanza.

Map of Italy highlighting the site of the cable car crash
(PA Graphics)

Italy’s alpine rescue, along with firefighters, police and civil protection services responded to the accident.

The accident occurred just a week after the cable car, popular for its views of Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples, reopened for the season.

Italy Cablecar Accident
Rescuers on the site where a cable car carrying tourists south of Naples crashed after the cable snapped (Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)

Premier Giorgia Meloni expressed her condolences for the victims and their families and said she was in touch with rescuers.

She was in Washington DC where she met with US President Donald Trump.

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