Margaret
Winn, a British national, was among four killed in a Naples cable car crash. A
criminal investigation is underway into the tragic incident.
.jpg "Rescue operation after Naples cable car crash on Mount Faito")
NAPLES,
Italy – Italian officials have identified British national Margaret Elaine Winn
as one of the four people killed in Thursday’s cable car crash near Naples. The
tragic accident occurred when a cabin on the Mount Faito cable line plunged to
the ground after a cable reportedly snapped.
A second
British victim has also been identified but their name has not yet been
released. Among the other confirmed victims are 59-year-old cable car operator
Carmine Parlato and Israeli national Janan Suliman.
Suliman’s
brother, who was in the cabin during the crash, remains in critical condition
after being airlifted to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Sixteen
other passengers in a second cabin were safely rescued after becoming stranded
mid-journey. Emergency responders used aerial winches to bring the passengers
to safety.
Authorities
have launched a criminal investigation into the incident. Early reports suggest
a snapped traction cable may have been the cause, with officials noting that
while the emergency brake downstream engaged properly, the cabin approaching
the mountain summit did not stop in time.
The cable
car system, which runs a three-kilometre route from Castellammare di Stabia to
the summit of Mount Faito, had passed a safety inspection just two weeks prior,
according to the operating company.
“The
emergency systems downstream worked, but unfortunately not in the cabin near
the summit,” said the town’s mayor in a statement to Italian media. “It’s a
heartbreaking day.”
The UK
Foreign Office confirmed it is in touch with Italian authorities and expressed
condolences to those affected.
“We are dealing
with an incident in Italy and are in contact with the local authorities. Our
thoughts are with those affected,” a spokesperson said.
Italian
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, speaking from Washington, also expressed her
“sincere condolences” to the victims’ families.
The Mount
Faito cable car has been operational since 1952. A previous tragedy on the same
line in 1960 claimed four lives.