Chronicle

Switzerland, cable car crashes in Engelberg due to strong winds, one victim

The causes of the accident are not yet clarified, but there were strong gusts of wind in the area

18 March 2026

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

A cable car crashed this morning in the Engelberg ski resort in central Switzerland, causing one fatality, the Nidwalden police confirmed. The causes of the accident are not yet clarified, but there were strong gusts of wind in the area. According to initial reconstructions and video footage released by witnesses, the cabin broke loose and started rolling down a snowy slope, tipping over several times. As reported by Blick, some pictures show people running towards the accident site, while one picture shows a person being carried by rescuers.

The man recounted that just before the accident the wind was very strong and that 'at some point there was a tear, the cable moved and the cabin crashed'. The company operating the cable cars in the area confirmed the accident without giving details of any passengers on board.

The accident involved the Xpress Trübsee-Stand line, which is currently closed. In the Titlis region, almost all installations are suspended. According to MeteoSwiss, the region was experiencing wind gusts of up to more than 80 km/h, with peaks of up to 130 km/h in the most exposed areas, which may have contributed to the accident.

Plant managers: accident "difficult to explain"

he tragic cable car accident in Engelberg, Canton Nidwalden in Switzerland, in which one person died, has been described as 'difficult to explain' by those responsible for the installation. Norbert Patt, CEO of Titlis Bergbahnen - the company that operates the lifts in the area - spoke of an 'extraordinary' event that was difficult to explain: 'I cannot say whether it was a technical error. I can only say that it is a system that is used all over the world'.

Patt emphasised that, under normal conditions, it is 'unimaginable' that a cabin could detach from the cable: 'The forces required would be enormous. Yet it has happened."

The plant, built between 2014 and 2015, had undergone a complete overhaul in September 2025 and was 'technically in its most modern state'. This is precisely why, according to the company, the accident occurred 'completely unexpectedly'. At the time of the crash there were strong winds. Protocol calls for a warning as early as 40 km/h and the suspension of service at around 60 km/h, but it is not yet clear whether these were sudden gusts or sustained average speeds.

After the accident, between 100 and 200 people were safely evacuated from other cabins. The operations were concluded and a psychological support team was activated to assist the affected passengers. "Safety is our top priority. An accident like this should never happen,' Patt said, expressing condolences for the victim: 'Our thoughts are with the family members. The investigation is now in the hands of the Swiss Safety Investigation Service, which will have to clarify the exact causes of the incident. The reopening of the plant remains uncertain at the moment and will depend on the outcome of the technical checks.