Cable car accident in Italy: three people arrested, one of the braking systems was tampered with

Sylvie Claire / May 26, 2021

Three people have been arrested as part of the investigation into Sunday's cable car accident in Stresa, a Piedmont resort on the shores of Lake Maggiore in northern Italy, reports the Italian news agency ANSA.

They are an engineer as well as the director and chief operator of the company that operates the cable car at the tourist site. The suspects are charged with manslaughter, among other things. According to the prosecutor, these three people committed a deliberate act.

The investigation showed that one of the braking systems had been tampered with to prevent the cable car from slowing down. As a result, the emergency system could not be activated. The accident occurred last Sunday about 100 meters from the last station of the cable car at the top of Mount Mottarone. It is believed to be due to a cable break on the highest part of the route.

The cabin fell about 15 meters, then went down a part of the slope before crashing into a tree. Fourteen people died in the accident, including five Israelis. The only survivor, a five year old child hospitalized in Turin, suffers from head trauma and leg fractures.