### Dramatic Rescue Operation: 14 Men Saved from Alpine Cable Car
In a heart-pounding six-hour ordeal, rescuers successfully freed 14 men trapped in a cable car suspended on a mountainside in the Alps. The cabin had become stuck hundreds of meters above the ground due to a technical malfunction.
#### High-Flying Rescue Efforts
– The cable car, operated by the Federal Armed Forces Technical Center, came to a sudden halt around 300 meters below the mountain station near Schneizlreuth in Berchtesgadener Land, Bavaria.
– The passengers, including civilians and military personnel, were left stranded in the cabin.
#### Multi-Agency Response
– A swift rescue operation ensued, involving 20 rescue personnel from various mountain rescue teams, two Bundeswehr helicopters, and a rescue helicopter.
– Initially, a helicopter attempted to approach the cabin to winch the men to safety from the roof, but the risky maneuver was abandoned.
– The passengers were then individually lowered 170 meters to a mountain ledge by the rescuers. From there, seven individuals were guided downhill by mountaineers using ropes, while the remaining passengers were airlifted by winch to the helicopter, unharmed.
### Investigation and Safety Measures
– Following the incident, authorities are investigating the cause of the technical malfunction, which is believed to involve two entangled cables: the traction cable reportedly overlapped the support cable.
#### Restricted Access
– It is important to note that the cable car is not open to the general public and is primarily utilized by the Federal Armed Forces and mountain rescue teams.
– The pendulum lift ascends and descends over 1000 meters between the mountain and valley stations, serving the logistical needs of the nearby military testing grounds and training facilities.
This thrilling rescue operation highlights the critical role of emergency response teams in ensuring the safety of individuals in challenging situations. The coordinated efforts of trained professionals and specialized equipment were instrumental in the successful evacuation of the stranded passengers, underscoring the importance of preparedness and swift action in crisis scenarios.