Benalmadena organised its annual emergency exercise at the cable car last week, raising the level of challenge by involving firefighters from several towns across the province. But, this time, they decided to make the test even more difficult than previous years – by carrying it out in the pitch-black darkness of night.

Multiple services join forces in complex scenario

Firefighters were brought in from Benalmadena, Mijas, Fuengirola, Marbella and Malaga capital, and the provincial consortium worked together with national police, local officers, civil protection teams, Red Cross staff and the cable car’s own technicians.

Organisers recreated an incident that required the evacuation and rescue of around thirty people from cabins stranded on the line. The cable car is usually closed by nightfall, but on this occasion, they might have been thnking about the astronomy nights run during the summer or even the predicted eclipse in August of this year.

Fire crews carried out procedures for rescue work, operational coordination, victim care and resource management inside the distinctive cable car environment.

The activity allowed crews to assess joint response capacity during a demanding situation and to improve communication and other links between the different bodies involved.

Mayor observes drill with fire and police chiefs

Juan Antonio Lara, mayor of Benalmadena, attended the exercise accompanied by fire service heads of Malaga’s provincial fire brigade and the local police.

Both chiefs followed the work of the various teams at close range throughout the operation.

Drones with thermal cameras support night operations

Local police deployed their new drone unit during the evening phase of the drill. The little aircraft carried night vision equipment and thermal imaging cameras, enabling teams to obtain clear views inside the cable car cabins and to detect any passengers who, theoretically, might remain trapped inside.

Officers also used the drones to assist with search tasks, traffic control around the site and general support for the emergency response in low-light conditions.

Regular training builds readiness at popular attraction

The drill forms part of ongoing preparation designed to keep response standards high at one of the Costa del Sol’s well-known tourist sites during the busiest months of the year.

By bringing together a wide range of specialist teams and testing new technology in realistic nighttime settings, organisers noted down practical information on how modern tools can improve location and rescue times.

The exercise confirmed that the collaboration between local and provincial administrations as well as specialised organisations is excellent, supporting further progress in safety and prevention measures for the cable car ride.

Teams completed the full programme without complications and finished earlier than scheduled, providing clear evidence of effective planning and execution.

Eighteen people were left injured on Saturday evening, June 13, when one carriage of a tourist train overturned in Cartama during the twelfth year of the Tapas and Cocktail Route. Nine of those hurt were minors ranging from five to seventeen years in age. Emergency crews confirmed no serious injuries after taking all the affected to Malaga hospitals.

Circumstances surrounding the overturn

Passengers experienced the carriage tipping over past half past nine in the evening while travelling through Cartama Pueblo as part of the free tourist train service linking different points of the gastronomic celebration with around thirty people on board, according to reports from the scene. Local authorities suspended all tourist train operations immediately following the event pending further checks.

Rapid response from local emergency services

Firefighters based in Coin attended the location rapidly and provided initial medical assistance while stabilising the overturned carriage to avoid even more risks. Firefighting teams from Alhaurin de la Torre also arrived but found no need for extra support after assessment. Local police, Guardia Civil officers and an ambulance from the emergency services reached the area shortly afterwards to manage the situation and transport the injured.

Accounts from those present at the scene

Local resident Marc Gomez said, “All the neighbours in the area rushed out to help, and by the time the police and medical services arrived, the situation was ‘half’ under control. Among those who helped out there were health personnel like my girlfriend, who is a nurse. Despite some wounds worse than others, I think the hardest thing has been the scare that everyone has had.”

Some nearly had the waggon fall on them while others suffered cuts from glass and shock. A young man received an improvised sling from his red shirt for arm injuries caused by the collapsing structure.

Specific scenes of distress and investigation update

Witnesses described a mother calming her toddler son by breastfeeding after minor scratches. An elderly woman needed help for a nosebleed from her medication. Blood and glass fragments lay on the ground as many young passengers expressed fears they could have died in the accident.

Neighbours and a restaurant owner supplied kitchen paper and ice for aid. Investigators examine possible brake failure without a confirmed cause. The free service during the festival hoped to boost local business and promote Cartama culinary strengths.