All 184 stranded cable car passengers evacuated in Antalya

ANTALYA

A cable car pod struck a pole and burst open in the southern city of Antalya, killing one and leaving 184 people stranded in 24 cabins, according to officials and local media. 

One of the iron poles holding the Sarısu cable car line, belonging to Antalya Metropolitan Municipality and put into service in 2017, broke off on April 12 around 18.00 and hit one of the cabins. The impact broke the base of the cabin, causing all eight people inside to fall.

Following the accident, rescue efforts were launched to free the citizens trapped in the cabins along the cable car line.

Rescue teams dispatched to the scene determined that a 54-year-old man had died.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that the rescue operations involved 543 search and rescue personnel, 7 helicopters, 1 military cargo plane, 108 vehicles, 6 ambulances, and drones.

A 15-person psychosocial support and Disaster Emergency Social Assistance team has been deployed to respond to the immediate needs of those affected by the cable car accident, The Family and Social Services Ministry announced.

The justice ministry said an investigation had been opened into the cause of the accident.