These are the first pictures of two tragic couples who were among 14 people killed in a horror cable car plunge on a mountain in Italy.
Roberta Pistolato, a doctor working on the frontline of Italy’s battle against Covid, died as she celebrated her 40th birthday with her boyfriend Angelo Gasparro, 45.
About an hour before the disaster, Ms Pistolato sent a chilling final text message to her sister, saying: “We’re getting on the cable car.”
Engaged couple Silvia Malnati 27, and Alessandro Merlo, 29, were also killed.
One family, originally from Israel and living in Italy, lost five members in Sunday’s tragedy, including a two-year-old boy and an 81-year-old grandmother, when the car fell 65ft.
A nine-year-old boy died after being airlifted to a hospital in Turin, while the only survivor – a five-year-old boy – was in a serious condition with injuries to his head, chest and legs.
(Image: repubblica.it)
The cable car was approaching a station on top of the 4,900ft Mottarone mountain when it plunged, rolled down the steep terrain and crashed into trees.
The victims were making the 20-minute journey to the summit from the town of Stresa to enjoy stunning views of Lake Maggiore.
Stresa Mayor Marcella Severino said the accident was believed to have been caused by one of the cables breaking, though the cause was still under investigation.
Ms Pistolato and Mr Gasparro, who lived in Castel San Giovanni, had decided to go up the mountain to celebrate her 40th birthday, la Repubblica reported.
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(Image: Vigili del Fuoco/AFP via Getty I)
About an hour before the tragedy, she texted her sister to say “we’re getting on the cable car”, the report added.
Ms Pistolato had been working at coronavirus vaccination centres and visiting patients at their homes during the pandemic, her bosses said.
Mr Merlo and Ms Malnati were from the northern city of Varese, where neighbours told of their shock and devastation.
Rosa Tagliani said Ms Malnati was “always cheerful” and smiling.
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The neighbour added: “I saw her three days ago and she said to me, ‘Hi Rosa, how are you?”
An investigation has been launched to identify the cause of the tragedy.
Ms Severino, the mayor of Stresa, told broadcaster RAI that hikers heard a loud hiss before the crash just after midday.
Some of the victims were found trapped inside the car, with others thrown into the woods, she added.
(Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
The mayor said: “We are devastated, in pain.
“It’s a terrible moment for me and for our community and I think also for the whole of Italy.
“Especially now that we were just beginning to restart (after the pandemic).”
“All of this is hard to believe,” she added.
The cable car had only restarted a month ago following the country’s Covid lockdown.
Officials said the cable car system, which first opened in August 1970, had undergone regular checks, with the most recent one taking place last November.
