In a dramatic rescue operation spanning nearly 23 hours, all 174 individuals stranded in cable cars high above a mountain in southern Turkey have been brought to safety. The harrowing ordeal began when one pod collided with a pole, resulting in a fatal accident that claimed the life of one person and left seven others injured after they plummeted to the rocky terrain below.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya declared the successful completion of the rescue mission on Saturday afternoon, highlighting the collaborative efforts of 607 search and rescue personnel and 10 helicopters, which included teams from Turkey’s emergency response agency, AFAD, the Coast Guard, firefighting units, and mountain rescue teams from various regions. Throughout the operation, helicopters equipped with night-vision capabilities played a crucial role in evacuating the stranded individuals, ensuring their safe return to solid ground.
Among those rescued was Istanbul resident Hatice Polat and her family, who described the overwhelming fear and uncertainty they faced during their seven-hour ordeal. Recounting the power outage and repeated flipping of their pod, Polat emphasized the traumatic nature of the experience, particularly the impact it had on the children present. "The night was awful, we were very scared. There were children with us, they passed out,” she shared, underscoring the psychological toll of the prolonged ordeal.
Tragically, a 54-year-old Turkish man lost his life in the accident, while six Turkish citizens and one Kyrgyz national sustained injuries, including two children. Promptly rescued by Coast Guard helicopters, the injured individuals were swiftly transported for medical attention. Images circulated in Turkish media depicted the battered cable car dangling precariously from dislodged cables against the rocky mountainside, underscoring the severity of the incident and the challenges faced by rescue teams in ensuring the safety of those involved.
As investigations into the cause of the accident unfold, the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an inquiry, enlisting a specialized commission comprising mechanical and electrical engineers, as well as health and safety experts. The cable car, which facilitates transportation from Konyaalti beach to a summit restaurant and viewing platform atop the 618-meter Tunektepe peak, is operated by the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality. Notably completed in 2017, the cable car line undergoes regular inspections throughout the year, with a comprehensive examination typically conducted at the beginning of each year to uphold safety standards.
Amid the conclusion of a three-day public holiday in Turkey marking the culmination of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, this tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with recreational activities. While the successful rescue of all stranded individuals comes as a relief, the repercussions of this fateful accident are sure to resonate throughout the community, prompting a renewed focus on safety measures and protocols to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.