(haipo) - Last Thursday, 17/04/2025, a serious cable car accident occurred near the city of Naples in Italy, claiming the life of a 25-year-old Israeli woman, Janan Slimane. The fatal accident, which also killed four other passengers and seriously injured Janan's brother, has raised the question of whether cable cars are a safe means of transportation.
A cable car broke free and fell.
The car crashed from a height of 30 meters In the fatal accident that occurred last Thursday, a cable car broke away from its position and fell from a height of 30 meters. There were five passengers in the car, including siblings Janan and Tabet Suleiman. Janan was killed at the scene, and her brother was very seriously injured. The other three passengers were also killed. The circumstances of the accident are still being investigated, but the fact that it involved a cable car breaking away raises serious questions about maintenance, safety and regulation.
Conflicting reactions on social media
The death of Janan Suleiman, a young pharmacist from Neve Sha'anan in Haifa, has sparked a wave of reactions on social media. Along with expressions of grief and pain over the tragic death of a beloved young woman, there have also been offensive, sometimes racist, comments from commenters who claimed that there were Arabs who rejoiced on the day the Iron Sword War broke out. These comments have caused a stir, especially in light of testimonies from Janan's acquaintances, who described her as a generous and welcoming woman.
Similar accident in Italy: Biran case from 2019
The current accident brings back painful memories of the May 2019 cable car accident in northern Italy, which killed 14 people, including five members of one Israeli family – the Biran family. That accident killed a couple, their two-year-old child and his grandparents. The couple’s young son, Eitan, survived the accident but became the focus of a high-profile family battle over custody. The similarities between the two accidents have raised questions among many about the safety of cable car facilities in Italy.
Is a cable car a safe means of transportation?
The tragic events in Italy are not disconnected from a broader context. They raise serious questions about the use of cable cars as a means of public or tourist transportation. Is this a safe means of transportation, or should we think twice before boarding a suspended car? We reached out to the cable car and cable car management and the Ministry of Transportation in Israel to understand what is being done to ensure passenger safety.
It should be noted that a cable car is a simple system on the one hand, cars that move from place to place, but on the other hand, it is also a very vulnerable and sensitive means of transportation. If you examine cable cars around the world, you will discover that most of them operate for decades without any malfunction, but when accidents do occur, they are mostly fatal. The reason is clear: when a cabin detaches from the cable and falls to the ground, the chances of the person who takes the hit after the fall to survive are not high. That is why proper maintenance and shutdown of the cable car in extreme weather are so significant. We set out to check whether these operations are performed on the Haifa cable car and cable car.
The Cable Car in Haifa: A Revolutionary Transportation Project
The cable car, which connects the Gulf Center, Check Post, the Technion and the university, is the first public transportation project of its kind in Israel using a cable car. It is a 4.4 km route with an elevation difference of 460 meters and 148 cars. For comparison, the tourist cable car in Haifa has only 6 cars. The cable car is capable of carrying hundreds of passengers per hour, and is an especially efficient transportation solution for students and residents in the area.
Cable car management: "Advanced safety systems on the cable car"
The cable car management emphasizes that this is one of the safest means of transportation in Israel. The cars are equipped with emergency intercoms, panic buttons, public address systems and closed-circuit security cameras. In addition, there is a control station with trained teams capable of handling emergency events in real time.
Strict and periodic maintenance checks
Maintenance is carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
The cable car's CEO, Yazid Suleiman, emphasizes that maintenance is carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and even beyond. "The cable car undergoes daily, weekly, monthly and annual inspections. We spare no expense in either means or professional manpower. The employees undergo constant training and there are clear procedures that are regularly refreshed."
International safety tests
He said that once a year, a comprehensive safety inspection is conducted by a globally accredited body, which includes mechanical, electrical and magnetic tests of the cables. In addition, there is ongoing monitoring by the Ministry of Transportation, which includes a requirement for daily reporting on maintenance and manpower. "We work in full coordination with the rescue forces and are continuously updated on weather forecasts. We will not take any risks during strong winds or storms."
The cable car in Haifa: a tourist solution with additional uses
In addition to the cable car, another cable car operates in Haifa that connects the Bat Galim neighborhood to Stella Maris. The cable car, built in 1986 during the time of the previous mayor, Aryeh Gural, was originally designed as a tourist vehicle, but is also used by students from Gordon College and local residents. The cable car has only 6 cars and is considered much smaller than the cable car.
The cable car management emphasizes: "Maintenance is carried out at the highest level"
The Haifa Cable Car management stated that they attach the utmost importance to the safety and ongoing maintenance of the facility. Maintenance, it was stated, is carried out meticulously on a daily basis, with a high level of involvement of professionals. In addition, once a year a thorough inspection is carried out by a certified inspector, which includes a comprehensive review of all system components, work logs and many professional tests, including advanced tests such as magnetic tests and particle tests.
During the latest maintenance of the long-standing cable car (Bat Galim-Stella Maris), the main cable was replaced, and the system was thoroughly inspected. "Following the manufacturer's instructions, using advanced technology, and ongoing maintenance - these are what ensure the continued safe operation of the cable car," it was reported.
Ministry of Transportation: "Government oversight and compliance with international standards"
The Ministry of Transportation stated that operating permits for the cable car and funicular are issued only after careful examination by professional bodies, both from Israel and abroad. The operating license is issued for one year only, and is renewed only after a comprehensive inspection of the integrity of the cables, safety advisors, traffic arrangements, rescuer training, and more.
Operators' Responsibility and Ongoing Supervision The Ministry of Transportation emphasizes that responsibility for the integrity of the system lies with the operators, but supervision is carried out rigorously and continuously. The inspections include technical approvals and compliance with strict safety standards. The goal: to ensure that the cable car facilities operate safely, while minimizing the risk to users.
Between tourism and safety: The dilemma continues
The cable car accidents that occurred in Italy are not an isolated incident, but a warning sign. The question of how to combine tourist use with public safety is becoming central, especially in countries where cable cars are used as a means of transportation and not just as an attraction. Public awareness and government oversight are essential to prevent the next disaster. In an era of advanced transportation, the real test is not only efficiency – but also, and perhaps primarily, safety.
reminder:
A few years ago, the cable car cable in Bat Galim broke.
That event, which occurred at night or early in the morning, had double luck:
1. All wagons are parked at the base stations.
2. The cable that broke and landed on the road on Hagana Road did not hit any vehicles.
Is it a coincidence that the last name of the deceased and the last name of the CEO of the cable car in Haifa are the same???