Cable car malfunction in Nalchik injures five as chairs plunge from heights PHOTO/VIDEO/UPDATED

20:26

At least five people were injured after a cable car malfunctioned in Nalchik, the capital of Russia's Kabardino-Balkaria, the regional centre for disaster medicine said.

Fortunately, none of the victims are believed to be in serious condition, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

The incident occurred when a section of the cable car system, which operates between an amusement park and Mount Malaya Kizilovka, suffered a mechanical failure. According to earlier statements from the regional office of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, a total of ten people were injured when cable car chairs fell into a body of water below.

“As a result of the cable car breaking, 10 people were injured after falling into the water,” a spokesperson for the Ministry told local media.

Emergency response teams were swiftly dispatched to the scene. Rescue and evacuation operations are currently underway, with authorities working to ensure that no passengers remain stranded on the line. The people are being evacuated from the affected area.

19:41

At least 10 people were injured in a serious cable car accident in Nalchik, Russia, after a mechanical failure caused multiple chairs to detach and fall.

The incident occurred on a popular funicular route connecting an amusement park to Mount Malaya Kizilovka, a local attraction frequented by tourists and residents, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

According to reports, the malfunction involved the cables snapping, causing several cable car chairs to crash to the ground with passengers inside.

Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed that emergency response teams were swiftly dispatched to the scene. “According to preliminary reports, there are casualties,” the ministry stated.

Most of those injured sustained bruises, abrasions, and minor trauma, though full medical assessments are ongoing. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether any of the injuries are life-threatening.

The exact cause of the cable failure remains under investigation, and the funicular line has been temporarily suspended pending a full safety inspection.