What was supposed to be a peaceful day at a scenic mountain resort in southern Russia turned into a nightmare when a chairlift suddenly gave way, sending several passengers plunging to the ground and into a nearby lake.
This horrifying incident took place in Nalchik, a city nestled in the mountainous Kabardino-Balkaria region, on Friday.
Videos shared from the scene show the terrifying moment when the chairlift cables snapped, causing the seats to fall abruptly.
You can hear the terrified screams of passengers as they fell into wooded areas below, while CCTV footage also captured cable cars crashing into a lake.
Fortunately, despite the dramatic falls from heights up to seven feet, there were no deaths, but the accident still left a dozen people injured.
Emergency Teams Race to Rescue Victims and Evacuate Others Dangling Mid-Air
Emergency services had to act quickly, spending over an hour reaching some victims trapped in dense forest.
Thirteen others were left suspended in the air on dangling chairs, needing rescue by specialized teams.
Those hurt in the crash, including a child, were rushed to hospital, with at least one person reported in critical condition.
Local authorities are investigating the cause, but preliminary reports point to worn cables as the likely culprit behind the sudden collapse.
The chairlift, originally constructed in 1968, had reportedly been the subject of complaints from visitors, who described the equipment as “rusty” and “old.”
A Growing Concern Over Aging Cable Car Systems After Tragic Italian Accident
This tragic event in Russia echoes a similar disaster earlier this year, when a cable car accident in Italy claimed lives and left others injured.
In April, a British couple and others were killed after their cabin plunged almost 100 feet near Monte Faito, overlooking the Bay of Naples.
The group, which included two Israeli tourists and the cabin driver, had just begun their ascent from the historic town of Castellammare di Stabia. The ride was meant to last only minutes, but six minutes in, the cabin stopped abruptly just seconds from the summit.
Officials said that the emergency braking system, designed to keep the cabin secure, failed.
This caused the cabin to slide backward down the cable, which then snapped.
The cabin smashed into a pylon at full speed before tumbling into a forest ravine, breaking apart on impact.
Harrowing Details Emerge From Monte Faito Cable Car Crash
Italian media reports describe how the cabin’s metal walls were crushed by thick branches, scattering debris and violently tossing passengers through the wooded slope below.
Rescue teams combed through the wreckage for hours, recovering the bodies of most passengers and miraculously finding one Israeli man alive.
The tragedy sparked fresh concerns about the safety of aging cable car infrastructure, especially in popular tourist destinations where equipment maintenance is critical.
A Reminder of the Risks Inherent in Mountain Cable Car Travel
Both the Nalchik and Monte Faito accidents highlight the risks that come with relying on older cable car systems.
Tourists often trust these rides to provide breathtaking views and safe passage, but without proper upkeep, these machines can become dangerous.
As investigations continue, authorities in Russia and Italy will be under pressure to improve safety standards and ensure such horrifying accidents don’t happen again.