By order of the prosecution, experts will determine the cause of the skidding of the basket on the "Savin Kuk 2" cable car and the circumstances under which the accident occurred, in which a thirty-four-year-old German citizen died. Sebastian Hertner, and his wife was seriously injured Hanah Espandschied (30)
The accident on the second funicular of the cable car, which is owned by Razvojna banka, occurred on Saturday, December 20, at around 1:10 p.m. - a basket containing two tourists collided with another one that was empty, Hertner was killed when he fell, and his wife was seriously injured. According to information from "Vijesti", her life is out of danger.
The cable car on which a German citizen died had to be replaced back in 2014, but authorities have not taken any concrete measures in the past 11 years, a civic and environmental activist said yesterday. Aleksandar Dragicevic.
"All directors of the 'Savin Kuk' Ski Center, the relevant ministers, as well as the owners of the cable car, formerly the Investment and Development Fund, and today the Development Bank, have not shown interest or taken concrete steps to replace the existing cable car with a new one," he said, commenting on the accident in Žabljak.
The Police Directorate unofficially told the newspaper that their colleagues in the Žabljak Security Department were notified on Saturday, about ten minutes after 13 p.m., that there was a defect in the basket, and that they immediately went to the scene of the accident.
"The on-site investigation was conducted by the prosecutor on duty from the Basic State Prosecutor's Office in Pljevlja, with the assistance of the criminal police and forensic technicians, as well as a mechanical expert. Statements were taken from several people - eyewitnesses and employees of the 'Savin Kuk' Ski Resort. On the prosecutor's order, an autopsy was performed on the victim's body," said one of the interlocutors involved in the investigation.
Another source specified that the task of the experts is to determine the cause of the basket slipping, the correctness of the cable car mechanism, cables, and also whether, when and how repairs were carried out.
"Parts of the cable car, or rather its mechanism, have already been removed for expert examination," the source explained.
The Police Directorate officially announced last night, stating that in the investigative measures and actions taken so far, led by the State Prosecutor, they have collected information from several individuals:
"The necessary documentation was seized from those responsible and employees at the 'Savin Kuk' Ski Center, and appropriate expert assessments were ordered."
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Civic and environmental activist Aleksandar Dragićević told "Vijesti" yesterday that human lives were lost due to years of inaction by authorities.
"In October 2014, the Government of Montenegro published information on the state of ski resorts in Montenegro, which, among other things, stated that the Slovenian company 'ProAlpina', specialized in ski resorts, was engaged for the needs of the Government. That company clearly indicated that any reconstruction, revitalization or further use of the existing 'Savin Kuk 2' cable car is not possible, and that it must be completely replaced with a new or used cable car that is in line with European safety standards. Despite that clear warning, nothing has been done in the past 11 years. All directors of the 'Savin Kuk' Ski Center, the relevant ministers, as well as the owners of the cable car, formerly the Investment and Development Fund, and today the Development Bank - have not shown interest or taken concrete steps to replace the existing cable car with a new one," said Dragićević.
He recalled that back in 2019, UNESCO gave a negative opinion on the planned construction of the new "Panalj" cable car, even though it had already been ordered in advance and more than nine million euros had been allocated for it.
"Today, this cable car is located in several unknown locations throughout Montenegro, although it was intended for Durmitor. UNESCO clearly stated at the time that any new addition or construction of additional ski lifts would jeopardize the status of protected heritage, but at the same time emphasized that a complete reconstruction of the existing 'Savin Kuk' cable car in the same dimensions is permitted. However, this has never been realized either. I believe, and I have publicly warned about this together with my colleagues for years - that the lack of investment is solely a consequence of the intention to privatize the cable car, along with the entire tourist complex, in order to introduce certain people close to the authorities into the business, with plans to build hotels and apartments for the market at the foot of Savi's Arch, which the currently valid planning documentation does not allow. Due to this inaction, today we have lost one human life, a German citizen. The only happiness in this tragedy is that the accident did not occur in the heart of the winter tourist season, when the cable car is full, because the consequences could be catastrophic and measured in dozens of human lives, especially during the New Year holidays. holidays," he pointed out.
Dragićević emphasized that it is particularly devastating for Montenegro that even 24 hours after the accident, no one from the Government has spoken out.
"It is particularly humiliating for Montenegro, Žabljak as a winter tourist destination and for the country's international reputation that no one from the Government has commented even 24 hours after the accident, even though there are several ministers with relevant responsibilities. The owner of the facility - Razvojna Banka - has not commented, no resignations have been offered, and the Government has not sent any official condolences, neither to the victim's family nor to the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany," he said.
Serious consequences for tourism
The President of the Municipality of Žabljak, Radoš Žugić, said yesterday that there are no circumstances that can justify the loss of human life, adding that the safety of guests is the foundation of trust that they have built over the years, and "which has been seriously shaken by this tragedy."
"It is realistic to expect that a large number of visitors will avoid using the cable car, which directly threatens the winter tourist season and the livelihood of many families who depend on it. That is why we insist on a full and transparent investigation, establishing responsibility and urgent measures that will guarantee maximum safety in the future. Without clear answers and concrete steps, the consequences for tourism and the economy of Žabljak could be long-term and very serious," said Žugić.
The Durmitor Tourist Center (TC) announced that they are deeply shaken by the tragic event at the Savin Kuk ski resort, in which a German citizen lost his life:
"In these difficult times, we would like to extend our sincerest condolences to the family of the victim. The Durmitor Tourist Center is fully cooperating with the Police Directorate and the competent prosecutor's office in order to precisely determine all the circumstances that led to this unfortunate incident. We emphasize that the cable car on which the accident occurred has all the necessary technical and legal documentation for operation. Before the start of the winter season, all regular checks and inspections were carried out, in accordance with applicable regulations and safety standards," the statement said.
Both they and Žugić thanked the rescuers.
"I call on the competent authorities to thoroughly investigate the causes of the accident and determine full responsibility, in order to prevent similar tragedies in the future," said the President of the Žabljak Municipal Assembly (MA) Ivan Popović yesterday.
Expressing condolences over the death of a German citizen, he wrote that "this tragic accident on the cable car, which has been a subject of concern for years due to insufficient investment in the maintenance and modernization of infrastructure, reminds us of long-standing failures in investing in key facilities of our tourism potential."
He said that "in these moments of deep sadness, we must not allow the politicization of the tragedy, especially not by those who were part of the previous system and directly responsible for the decades of neglect and underinvestment that led to this state of infrastructure."
He called on authorities to "thoroughly investigate the causes of the accident and establish full responsibility, in order to prevent similar tragedies in the future."
Independent MP Jevrosima Pejović announced that on Monday, December 22, she will officially submit an initiative to the Anti-Corruption Committee for a control hearing of the Minister of Public Works Majda Adžović and representatives of the Development Bank.
"This tragedy must not be reduced to a mere 'accident', because the loss of human life must never be accepted as a consequence of coincidence when it is clear that it is the result of years of lack of investment, negligence and a complete lack of responsibility on the part of institutions...", Pejović stressed in a statement.
She added that Savin Kuk and the wider Durmitor area have been without adequate infrastructure, clear signage, safety standards and constant supervision for years, despite numerous warnings from experts and the general public.
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