FREAK CRASH

Seven Buddhist Monks Killed in Horror Cable Car Accident

Three foreign nationals were among the fatalities.

At least seven Buddhist monks are dead after a shocking cable car accident at a monastery in Sri Lanka. Thirteen people were traveling in the standing-only, open cable car at the historic Na Uyana Monastery in central Sri Lanka when the accident occurred. Of the seven who died, three were foreign nationals hailing from India, Romania, and Russia. Four other passengers were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and two managed to escape injury by jumping from the cable car, according to a local media outlet, Lancasara. The local Pansiyagama Police told the outlet that it suspected the accident was caused by a snapped cable and that it was investigating. The Na Uyana Monastery dates back to the 3rd century B.C. and sits in 5,000 acres of forest. About 200 monks live in the monastery, which can be accessed via a steep incline by riding on the cable car or walking up a long set of stairs that ascend parallel to the track. Photos after the accident show monks gathered and surveying the site of the horror incident.