Cable Car Crash in Italy... Death Toll Rises to 14

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] The death toll from the cable car crash in Italy has risen to 14.

According to local media such as the public broadcaster RAI on the 24th (local time), around noon on the 23rd, a cable car operating from the town of Stresa in Piedmont, located by Lake Maggiore in northern Italy, to the summit of Mount Matarone at an altitude of 1491 meters, fell about 20 meters below the summit arrival point.

At least 13 people died in the accident, and two children were seriously injured. One of the critically injured children eventually died, raising the death toll to 14. The child had received emergency treatment including several rounds of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The other rescued child is also reported to be in critical condition. Among the victims were a family of five with Israeli nationality and a man in his twenties from Iran residing in Calabria, southern Italy.

The cable car had been out of operation for over a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed service the day before following the easing of quarantine regulations. It is tentatively understood that there were a total of 15 passengers on board at the time of the accident. After the cable car fell, it rolled down a steep slope, increasing the casualties. It is presumed that the direct cause of the accident was the snapping of one of the cables.

Prime Minister Mario Draghi issued a condolence statement and dispatched government officials, including the Minister of Infrastructure, to investigate the circumstances of the accident. The investigative authorities plan to investigate city officials and maintenance company personnel on suspicion of negligent homicide.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.