Passengers of “Wings of Tatev” ropeway evacuated
29.10.2012,
15:30
All passengers that were stuck in the cabins of the longest reverse ropeway in the world, “Wings of Tatev” (TaTever), Siunik region of Armenia, were evacuated, the ropeway operating company told ARKA News Agency.
YEREVAN, October 29. /ARKA/. All passengers that were stuck in the cabins of the longest reverse ropeway in the world, “Wings of Tatev” (TaTever), Siunik region of Armenia, were evacuated, the ropeway operating company told ARKA News Agency.
The ropeway security system went on and automatically stopped the operation because of the thunderstorm.
The ropeway is initially programmed in a way to ensure automatic suspension of operation and safety of passengers under unfavorable weather conditions. Later, the modes are automatically settled and operation restarted.
The ropeway cabin was 18 meters high when the suspension system went on. Forty-one passengers were evacuated by a rescue team of Armenian Ministry of Emergencies and by the ropeway staff trained in Switzerland. Policemen and emergency physicians provided the required help.
According to the press service, local and foreign companies make regular inspections at the ropeway.
“During the last inspection made by specialists of Doppelmayr-Garaventa Austrian-Swiss company, all the systems of the ropeway were assessed as excellent”, says the report.
The press service stressed that the accident and the feedback from the passengers showed that the security system and staff level met the highest international requirements.
The ropeway management expressed gratitude to rescuers for promptness and professional level.
The ropeway was officially launched on October 26, 2010, in the presence of a hundred of guests and the country’s leaders. It was the first project under the USD45mln worth large-scale “Tatev Revival” project of Armenian National Competitiveness Fund.
The ropeway spans 5.7 kilometers with highest point at 330 meters; one-way journey from Halidzor to the famous medieval Tatev Monastery of Siunik takes 11 minutes.
Tatev Ropeway, the longest reverse ropeway in the world, got into the Guinness Record Book on October 23, 2010. –0--
