On Thursday afternoon, April 17, 2025, a tragic cable car accident near Naples, Italy, claimed the lives of four individuals and left one person seriously injured. The incident occurred in Castellammare di Stabia when a cable of the gondola, which transports visitors to the summit of Mount Faito at an elevation of approximately 1,131 meters, broke around 3 PM. This catastrophic failure caused the cabin closest to the mountain station to plunge into the abyss below.
Reports indicate that five people were aboard the cable car at the time of the accident. Tragically, three of them died at the scene, while one individual sustained severe injuries. The fifth passenger, who was initially reported missing, was later found dead. The victims included two tourists from England, one from Israel, and an Italian employee of the cable car operator, EAV.
The rescue operation faced significant challenges due to adverse weather conditions, including dense fog that obscured visibility and hampered rescue efforts. Fortunately, 16 other individuals trapped in two additional cabins were successfully rescued using ropes, thanks to the prompt response of rescue teams.
Vincenzo De Luca, President of Campania, expressed his shock at the incident, stating that the cable car had undergone maintenance just a week prior, on April 10, 2025. Umberto De Gregorio, head of EAV, described the event as an "unimaginable tragedy" that requires thorough investigation.
The cable car, a popular tourist attraction, has been in operation since 1952 and transported over 108,000 passengers in the previous year alone. It typically offers breathtaking views of the Gulf of Naples, but on the day of the accident, visibility was severely limited due to fog.
This incident is not the first of its kind for the Faito cable car. A similar accident occurred in 1960, resulting in four fatalities and over 30 injuries. Additionally, in the summer of 2021, a cabin carrying 31 passengers became stuck for more than an hour due to a power failure, although no injuries were reported in that incident.
As investigations into the cause of the cable failure continue, the community mourns the loss of life and grapples with the implications of this tragedy. The cable car's history, marked by previous incidents, raises questions about safety measures and maintenance protocols that will likely be scrutinized in the wake of this disaster.
The cable car operates as a vital connection for tourists and locals alike, providing access to the scenic beauty of Mount Faito. Its closure following this incident will undoubtedly impact the local economy, especially as the region experiences an influx of visitors during the Easter holiday.
Meanwhile, the region is also facing challenges due to severe weather conditions affecting other parts of Italy. Heavy rainfall in the Piedmont region has led to the flooding of numerous rivers, including the Po, Italy's longest river. This has prompted red alerts in over a hundred municipalities, with authorities warning of potential landslides and further disruptions to transportation.
As the community comes to terms with this dual crisis, the focus remains on providing support to the families affected by the cable car tragedy and ensuring the safety of all who visit the beautiful landscapes of Italy.
