A tragic accident occurred at the Tunektepe cable car just outside of Antalya in southern Turkey, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to seven others. The incident took place during the busy Eid al-Fitr holiday, with two children among those injured. Efforts to rescue the injured were underway, with helicopters and mountaineering teams assisting in the operation. Scores of passengers were left stranded in 25 other cable car pods as engineers worked to restart the system, with about 135 guests still trapped hours after the accident.
The cable car system was filled with holiday-goers enjoying the final day of a three-day public holiday marking the end of Ramadan. The cable car carries tourists from Konyaalti beach to a restaurant and viewing platform at the summit of Tunektepe peak, reaching an impressive height of 618 meters. The Antalya Metropolitan Municipality runs the cable car, which is a popular attraction for visitors to the area. The gravity of the situation was evident in images showing the battered car swaying from dislodged cables on the side of the rocky mountain, with medics providing aid to those injured.
The deceased in this tragic incident was identified as a 54-year-old Turkish man, with the six injured individuals being Turkish citizens and one being from Kyrgyzstan. Rescue efforts involved over 160 first responders, including air crews from the Coast Guard and mountaineering teams from various parts of Turkey. Unfortunately, only 49 people had been rescued from the suspended pods as midnight approached, leaving 135 still stranded. The Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has initiated an investigation into the incident, with an expert commission working to determine the cause of the accident.
The severity of the situation heightened as night fell, with helicopters equipped with night vision imaging dispatched to the site to assist in the rescue mission. In the wake of this tragedy, the focus shifted to understanding what went wrong and preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future. Mechanical and electrical engineers, along with health and safety experts, were brought in to investigate the cause of the accident. The local community and authorities were left grappling with the aftermath of the cable car disaster, as questions arose about the safety protocols and maintenance of the system.
The cable car accident in southern Turkey left a lasting impact on the families affected by the tragedy and the local community. The incident occurred during a time of celebration and relaxation for many, underscoring the unexpected dangers that can arise even in leisurely activities. As the investigation into the cause of the accident continued, the focus remained on providing support to those affected by the incident and ensuring that proper safety measures are in place to prevent similar situations in the future. The Tunektepe cable car disaster served as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and caution in all forms of transportation and recreation.
