Two British tourists have been confirmed among the four fatalities in a devastating cable-car crash near Naples, Italy, that has prompted a manslaughter investigation by local prosecutors.
The victims, identified as Margaret Elaine Winn, 58, and Graeme Derek Winn, 65, were travelling on the Monte Faito cable car—a scenic service climbing the peak some 45km (28 miles) south-east of Naples—when the tragedy occurred on Thursday.
The crash also claimed the lives of Janan Suliman, a 25-year-old woman with Israeli citizenship, and Carmine Parlato, the Italian operator of the cable car. Janan’s younger brother, Thaeb Suliman, 23, survived the crash but remains in hospital with severe injuries. He is described as “stable in the seriousness” of his condition and is undergoing further evaluation.
Cable Snap Likely Cause
Early reports suggest that a supporting cable snapped, causing the cabin—travelling uphill at the time—to plunge to the ground. The cable car had only reopened 10 days prior for the spring-summer season and had undergone maintenance just one week before the crash, according to Italian media.
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Authorities have since launched an investigation into potential manslaughter charges, with attention turning to the safety protocols and technical maintenance records of the EAV-run service.
In a somber post on Facebook, Umberto De Gregorio, chair of EAV (the regional public transport company), confirmed the crash, calling it “a tragedy.”
Fog, Wind, and Harrowing Conditions
Conditions on Monte Faito at the time of the accident were reportedly hazardous, with winds reaching up to 100km/h (60mph) and dense fog impeding rescue efforts. Eyewitnesses described hearing a loud bang moments before the car crashed, suggesting a catastrophic mechanical failure.
Rescuers faced a tense operation as 16 other passengers trapped in a descending cabin were stranded mid-air and had to be evacuated one-by-one using harnesses. Footage aired on Italian state broadcaster RAI showed the dramatic rescue effort.
A History of Tragedy
Thursday’s crash is the worst cable-car disaster in Italy since 2021, when 14 people died after a car connecting Stresa and Mottarone mountain fell near Lake Maggiore. That incident sparked widespread debate over cable-car safety and oversight in the country.
The Monte Faito cable car, first opened in 1952, has seen tragedy before. In 1960, four people—including a nine-year-old child—died after a pylon collapsed, as reported by Napoli Today.
Mourning and Political Response
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who was attending a summit in Washington, D.C., with U.S. President Donald Trump at the time of the incident, extended her “deepest condolences” to the families of those killed and injured.
Vincenzo De Luca, governor of the Campania region, emphasized the need for rigorous technical checks, saying:
“There was a truly severe weather situation, therefore I can imagine what could have happened at 1,500 metres above sea level. But, I repeat, technical checks must be done with the utmost rigour.”
Investigation and Next Steps
Prosecutors in Torre Annunziata have begun gathering maintenance records and eyewitness testimony. Engineers will inspect both cable cars and the line infrastructure in detail. The incident raises renewed questions over the state of aging infrastructure and the oversight of tourist services across Italy.
International diplomatic channels, including the UK Foreign Office and Israeli authorities, are coordinating with Italian officials to support the families of the victims and survivors.
The tragedy has cast a shadow over the start of Italy’s peak tourist season and reignited debate about tourism safety standards in one of Europe’s most visited countries.
