A technical malfunction in the Jounieh cable car caused two cabins to collide and other cabins on their way from Jounieh to Harissa to stop running.
Deputy General Director of Civil Defense Rima el-Murr said in an interview on local TV station MTV that “there are 20 people trapped; we’ve rescued four of them, and rescue operations are ongoing. We’ve requested assistance from land rescue teams.”
The panic-stricken passengers, including children, have been suspended in the air for more than 2 hours, waiting to be evacuated by the Civil Defense who are using cranes for the rescue work, according to media reports.
20 People Trapped in #Jounieh Cable Car, Rescue Efforts Ongoing pic.twitter.com/qolFKS3wSA
— This is Beirut (@ThisIsBeirut_) December 28, 2023
Civil Defense, Lebanese Red Cross and Lebanese army teams rushed to the scene of the incident after receiving a safety alert. Army helicopters were also engaged in the rescue efforts.
It takes nine minutes for the cabin to travel the 1,570-meter-long cable car line from Jounieh to Harissa.
Rescue operation ongoing to evacuate people trapped in the #Jounieh car cable pic.twitter.com/cequQYfPao
— This is Beirut (@ThisIsBeirut_) December 28, 2023
