• Four people, including two British nationals, died in a cable car crash near Naples.
• The cable car fell after a traction cable snapped, impacting a construction site during its descent.
• Prosecutors have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
• The incident occurred shortly after the cable car service reopened for the tourist season.
• Rescue operations faced challenges due to weather conditions, with high winds and fog hindering efforts.

Four people tragically lost their lives, and one other suffered serious injuries when a cable car crashed near Naples, Italy, on Thursday. The cable car, operating between Castellammare di Stabia and Monte Faito, fell after a ***traction cable snapped***, plummeting into the valley and hitting a pylon and a construction site during its descent. Among the deceased were two British tourists, identified as ***Margaret Elaine Winn, 58, and Graeme Derek Winn, 65***, alongside a 59-year-old Italian cable car operator, ***Carmine Parlato***, and a 25-year-old Israeli woman, ***Janan Suliman***, according to the fire department's reports and local media sources mentioned by The Local.

The sole survivor, Thaeb Suliman, 23, was reported to be in critical condition after sustaining severe injuries, highlighting the serious nature of the accident. Over 50 firefighters and emergency responders participated in the rescue operations, which were complicated by ***fog and winds reaching 100 km/h***. Sixteen other passengers were rescued from a separate cable car that had become stuck mid-air. The efforts faced delays due to challenging weather conditions, underscoring the difficult circumstances surrounding the incident, according to statements from local officials and fire department reports noted by Newsweek.

Following the incident, ***Umberto De Gregorio***, president of the EAV public transport company that operates the cable car, expressed disbelief, stating, "What happened today is an unimaginable, unforeseeable tragedy." The cable car service had only reopened a week prior after routine safety checks, emphasizing the shocking nature of the event. Investigations are being carried out by the Torre Annunziata Public Prosecutor's office to determine if negligence or failure in safety protocols occurred, as detailed by Reuters.

Italian Prime Minister ***Giorgia Meloni*** offered her "sincere condolences" to the families of the victims, reflecting the nationwide impact of this tragedy. The cable car service, which has been in operation since 1952, has a history marked by safety and scenic views, making this incident particularly poignant for the local community, as articulated by Culture Minister ***Alessandro Giuli***. Prior cable car disasters in Italy, including one in 2021 that resulted in 14 deaths, have raised concerns regarding safety and operational protocols within such tourist attractions, aligning with the ongoing public safety discussions emphasized by The Local.