On April 17, 2025, a terrifying incident unfolded at the Funivia del Faito, a cable car service connecting Castellammare di Stabia to the summit of Monte Faito in the Naples province. Shortly after 3:00 PM, a cable broke, leaving two cabins suspended in the air—one with 12 passengers and another with 4 passengers. The safety system activated immediately, and rescue operations commenced to bring the travelers to safety.
Passengers in the cabin descending towards Castellammare disembarked without injury, receiving applause for the quick response from the employees of Eav, the public transport authority managing the cable car. However, anxiety grew for those in the higher cabin, which was left dangling over a precipice. A rescue helicopter was dispatched to the scene.
Eav reported that they were unable to establish contact with the cabin at the top, which contained four passengers and one operator who was not responding to his cellphone. The funivia had just reopened to the public a week prior after its winter break, making the incident particularly alarming for tourists.
Among the passengers were four young tourists from France and Germany, who described the moment the cable snapped: "We felt a sudden jolt and were left hanging in the air. We were scared, but they reassured us." A German family traveling with two children was also on board, and police were on site to gather testimonies and reconstruct the incident.
As the rescue operations continued, Eav confirmed that 16 passengers had been trapped due to the cable failure. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among those rescued. The cable that fell had also struck the overhead line of the Circumvesuviana railway, causing train services to be suspended between Pioppaino and Castellammare stations.
In a statement, Eav explained, "Due to a fault on the Funivia del Faito and the falling of a cable onto the overhead line of the Vesuvian railway, train circulation is temporarily suspended. The cable car is stopped, the safety system has blocked the cabins, and operations are underway to safely disembark the 16 passengers who have not sustained injuries. Technicians are working on the issue."
As the situation unfolded, the president of Eav, Umberto De Gregorio, shared a video on his Facebook profile showing the rescue efforts. He noted, "Passengers from the lower cabin have disembarked. At this moment, we have no contact with the upper cabin." The prefecture of Naples is coordinating the rescue operations, ensuring all necessary resources are deployed.
Rescue teams worked diligently to bring the passengers from the cabin at the base to safety. They were harnessed and lowered one by one from the cabin, which was situated at a low altitude near the base station. Meanwhile, the cabin at the top remained a source of concern for rescuers.
The incident has raised questions about safety protocols and maintenance of the funivia, especially given that it had just reopened to the public. Tourists expressed their gratitude for the quick response from the rescue teams, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with cable car systems.
As the day progressed, Eav continued to monitor the situation closely, with updates expected as rescue operations were completed. The cable car service, a popular tourist attraction, had been a vital link for those looking to enjoy the stunning views from Monte Faito, and the hope remains that it will be restored to operation soon.
Meanwhile, the Circumvesuviana railway services between Pioppaino and Castellammare remain suspended, with replacement buses being arranged for affected travelers. Eav is working to resolve the fault and restore both the cable car and railway services as quickly as possible.
The incident at the Funivia del Faito highlights the importance of rigorous safety checks and the need for immediate response protocols in the face of mechanical failures. As the community waits for further updates, the safety of passengers remains the top priority.
In summary, the cable car incident has drawn significant attention, not only for its immediate impact on the passengers involved but also for the broader implications it has for safety in public transportation systems. As investigations continue and services are restored, the focus will be on preventing such incidents in the future.
