British couple among four killed in Mount Faito cable car crash, Italian police say | BBC News

Key Concepts:

• Cable car accident near Naples
• Victim nationalities: British, Israeli, Italian
• Cable snapping
• Maintenance and age of the cable car system
• Previous similar incident in Italy

Accident Details and Casualties:

• Italian police confirmed four fatalities in a cable car crash near Naples.
• A British couple, an Israeli citizen, and an Italian citizen are confirmed dead.
• A fifth person is in the hospital with serious injuries; their nationality and identity are unconfirmed.
• The cable car was near the top of Mount Vto when a cable snapped.
• The car plunged a significant distance into the forest below, shattering on impact.

Cause of the Accident:

• The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.
• The incident involved a cable snapping, leading to the car's fall.

Cable Car System Information:

• The cable car system was built in 1952, making it nearly 75 years old.
• The operating company stated that the system underwent maintenance over the winter and a full inspection before reopening 10 days prior to the accident for the spring season.

Context and History:

• Italy has numerous cable car systems due to its mountainous terrain, used by both locals and tourists.
• A similar incident occurred four years prior in northern Italy, resulting in 14 deaths.

Investigation and Questions:

• The investigation is focused on the maintenance and age of the cable car systems in Italy.
• Questions are being raised about the adequacy of maintenance and inspections, despite the company's claims.

Notable Quotes:

• "They have not been formally identified and they have not been officially named. Uh but they have now said to us they are certain that there is a British couple and an Israeli citizen and an Italian citizen are the dead" - Robert Wingfield Hayes, BBC Correspondent, regarding the confirmation of victim nationalities.
• "So they say this is an unthinkable thing to happen but it has happened" - Robert Wingfield Hayes, BBC Correspondent, referring to the operating company's statement about the accident.

Conclusion:

The cable car accident near Naples, resulting in four confirmed deaths and one serious injury, has raised serious concerns about the safety and maintenance of aging cable car systems in Italy. The ongoing investigation aims to determine the exact cause of the cable snapping and to address questions regarding the adequacy of maintenance and inspection protocols. The incident echoes a similar tragedy from four years ago, highlighting the need for thorough scrutiny and potential improvements in the operation and oversight of these systems.