Public prosecutor’s office is investigating the cable car accident on Monte Mottarone

On Pentecost Sunday, the gondola with day trippers fell into the depths near Stresa, west of Lake Maggiore, for an initially unexplained cause. 13 people lost their lives at the scene of the accident, a severely injured nine-year-old died a few hours later in the hospital. There were 15 people in the gondola – a five-year-old boy was the only one who survived. A Carabinieri investigator said, according to news agencies, a steel cable had come loose. Where exactly and why remains unclear.

The 1491 meter high Monte Montarrone is known for its view of the Borromean Islands in Lake Maggiore and its mountain panorama. In winter the area is the destination of many skiers, in summer there are many hikers. Pictures of the fire brigade and the police showed the completely dented cabin on a steep slope in a forest. The rescuers said the area was difficult to access.