In a daring rescue operation that lasted nearly 10 hours, government officials confirmed that 74 individuals who were stranded in Ecuador’s capital, Quito, were successfully rescued from one of the world’s highest cable car systems.
The incident, caused by a technical failure, left the passengers trapped at an altitude of over 12,950 feet.
The Quito municipality released a statement on Friday, stating that the firefighters received an alert at approximately 4 p.m. on Thursday regarding the malfunction, with approximately 70 people reported as being trapped.
Upon receiving the distress call, a swift rescue mission was launched to ensure the safe retrieval of the stranded passengers.
The statement revealed that a total of 27 individuals who were suspended in the gondolas during the system’s inoperability were rescued, along with 47 people who were stranded at the mountaintop without means of transportation.
Mayor Pabel Munoz of Quito expressed relief that the rescued individuals showed no signs of hypothermia or injuries.
However, as a precautionary measure, he immediately ordered the suspension of the cable car’s operations until a thorough investigation into the incident could be conducted.
The Quito Cable Car, known as the Teleferiqo, is renowned for its breathtaking ascent to heights rarely experienced in South America.
Spanning a distance of more than 2,500 meters, the 18-minute journey offers panoramic views of the Quito cityscape and the surrounding mountains. (Edited)