Three people have passed away, and nine were declared injured after a cable supporting a chairlift ended up snapping while ascending towards Russia’s highest mountain peak.
37 people were believed to be riding the cableway atop Mount Elbrus in the North Caucasus republic of Kabardino-Balkaria when it snapped, sending passengers plummeting to the ground on the rocks below.
25 people were left stranded at the top of the mountain’s summit without any kind of supplies or warm clothing, sources have confirmed after this incident took place.
These people were forced to spend the night in the freezing weather conditions inside an emergency shelter. The chairlift, which is owned by a firm named MKD Elbrus, was said to have been installed in the Soviet era, and it was supposed to be undergoing maintenance at the time of that accident.
The modern gondola cable car is still undergoing some routine maintenance work, the government source added, to help prepare for the winter season.
It also shared how the passengers were forbidden from riding it during that moment in time. The CEO and head technician of the company responsible for this ride were detained as a criminal investigation has begun into this matter. It’s not clear yet if they will be facing any charges.