2024-04-14 01:27:05
At least 128 people have been rescued by Turkish teams after the cable car accident in Antalya yesterday, Anadolu Agency reported.
The disaster happened on Friday when a support pole collapsed and collided with one of the booths. One person died in the accident and seven others were injured, including two children.
According to the information, so far 128 people have been evacuated from 16 cabins, and the evacuation of another 43 in another 8 cabins is ongoing.
Rescue operations continued throughout the night. The cabins are hanging in the air above the mountain, eyewitnesses to the tragedy told Turkish television.
Four helicopters, drones, ambulances and over 500 rescuers are involved in rescuing the stranded people.
Rescue operations are hampered by the conditions. The ropeway is at a height of about 600 meters above a mountainous area with steep slopes, “Jumhuriet” informs.
Due to the impossibility of restarting the lift movement system, the evacuation of the stranded is carried out by helicopters. The main task is to evacuate people as quickly and smoothly as possible, said the head of the Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD) Okai Memish.
An investigation into the causes of the accident has begun, writes BTA.
According to Turkish media, a total of 184 people traveled in the elevator cabins.
The deceased is a Turkish citizen, and one of the wounded is a Kyrgyz citizen, Jumhuriet reported.
The mayor of Antalya, Muhittin Bojek, announced that the cable car was opened in 2017. At the beginning of this year, it underwent a major overhaul. It was launched on March 5.