The rescue operation for the 174 people stranded in cable cars high above a mountain in southern Turkey has been successfully completed. The ordeal lasted nearly 23 hours after one pod hit a pole, resulting in one fatality and seven injuries.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the conclusion of the rescue operation on Saturday afternoon, commending the efforts of the 607 search and rescue personnel and 10 helicopters involved. The teams, including those from Turkey's emergency response agency, AFAD, the Coast Guard, firefighting units, and mountain rescue teams, worked tirelessly to ensure the safe evacuation of all stranded individuals.
The incident occurred on the Tunektepe cable car, located near the city of Antalya, when one pod collided with a pole, causing it to rupture and resulting in the tragic death of a 54-year-old Turkish man. Among the injured were two children, with a total of six Turkish citizens and one Kyrgyz national affected by the accident.
Survivors recounted harrowing experiences, with Istanbul resident Hatice Polat describing how the power outage and subsequent pod flipping caused fear and trauma among those trapped. Rescue efforts continued throughout the night, with helicopters equipped with night-vision capabilities aiding in the evacuation process.
Following the rescue, 13 people from other cable cars were also taken to hospitals for precautionary checkups. The Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has initiated an investigation into the incident, with an expert commission tasked with determining the cause of the accident.
The Tunektepe cable car, operated by the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, is a popular tourist attraction, transporting visitors from Konyaalti beach to a restaurant and viewing platform at the summit of the 618-meter Tunektepe peak. The cable car line undergoes regular inspections, including a major inspection at the beginning of the year, to ensure safety standards are upheld.
