On the last day of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, a fatal cable car accident occurred near Antalya, Turkey, resulting in the death of one individual and injuries to ten others. The incident took place on the Tunektepe cable car, a popular tourist attraction providing panoramic views from Konyaalti beach up to the 618-meter peak of Tunektepe.

The tragedy unfolded when one of the cable car pods struck a pole, breaking open and causing passengers to fall out. Among the victims, a 54-year-old Turkish man was pronounced dead at the scene. Two children and a Kyrgyz national were among the injured, all of whom, including other injured parties, were airlifted to safety by Coast Guard helicopters. More than 180 passengers were initially stranded in the pods following the incident. Rescue operations coordinated by Okay Memis, the director of the Turkish search and rescue agency AFAD, resulted in the rescue of 128 individuals so far, with ongoing efforts to safely evacuate the remaining 43 passengers.

The extensive rescue operation involves over 500 first responders, including specialist mountaineers and multiple helicopters from different regions of Turkey. The Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the accident, commissioning a team of experts in mechanical and electrical engineering, as well as health and safety specialists, to determine the cause.

The cable car system was opened in 2017 and undergoes regular inspections to ensure safety standards are maintained. This accident, occurring during a major holiday period, highlights the critical need for stringent safety checks and operational standards in public transportation facilities catering to tourists. Further investigations and evaluations are pending, aimed at preventing future incidents.