Seven monks killed in Sri Lanka cable car accident

The accident occurred late Wednesday night as the monks were travelling in a small makeshift cabin to reach meditation units atop a mountain within the Na Uyana forest monastery. Thirteen monks were on board; two escaped with minor injuries while four others remain in critical condition.

The victims included monks from India, Russia and Romania.

Preliminary findings suggest the cable snapped, causing the rail car to hurtle downhill at high speed before derailing and crashing into a tree.

The Na Uyana monastery, one of the country’s largest forest monasteries, is located about 130 kilometres (81 miles) northeast of Colombo.