A British couple from Market Harborough are among four people confirmed dead after a tragic cable car accident near Naples. The Mount Faito cable car, which carries passengers up the steep hills from Castellammare di Stabia, came crashing down after a support cable reportedly snapped, sending the cabin plunging into the valley below.
Elaine and Graeme Winn had been on holiday when the accident occurred, enjoying what should have been a scenic ride up one of Italy’s most popular hillside routes. The other victims were named locally as Carmine Parlato, the Italian cable car operator, and Janan Suliman, an Israeli woman visiting the region with her brother, who remains in critical condition in hospital.
The accident happened just ten days after the service reopened for the season, with the operator confirming that the line had passed its most recent inspection. A second cabin was suspended in the air at the time of the crash and had to be evacuated by emergency services using harnesses and ropes. Sixteen people were rescued.
Investigators are now examining why the emergency braking system failed on the descending car. While there was no severe weather reported at the time, officials say a full forensic review of the cable car line and its maintenance records is underway.
The Mount Faito cable car has a long history, having first opened in the early 1950s. Its unique route up the steep cliffs overlooking the Bay of Naples has long been popular with locals and tourists alike. But the line has not been without previous incidents, and this latest crash is expected to raise fresh questions about cable car safety.
Crucially, some experts have pointed to the need for clearer international guidance around aerial cable systems.
The news has brought shock to Market Harborough, where the British couple were well-known. Tributes have begun to appear on local forums and community pages.
For anyone curious about what makes this route such a draw for tourists, including the incredible views and hiking options, there’s more information about the cable car and the area here.
As the investigation continues, the incident raises broader questions about the safety checks and management of mountain transport routes, especially as seasonal travel across Europe increases.
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