Benalmadena cable car stages nighttime rescue drill with provincial firefighters and drones

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.