Gondola service at the TelefériQo in Quito was temporarily suspended due to heavy rain and a thunderstorm, leaving around 100 visitors stranded at the top station.
The interruption began at approximately 2:00 p.m., when operators activated safety protocols to prevent passengers from boarding during dangerous weather conditions. The suspension affected tourists visiting during the Easter holiday period.
Those already at the Cruz Loma station were unable to descend for several hours, with some reporting waits of up to three to four hours in cold conditions.
Frustration grew among visitors, many of whom said there were no clear contingency plans in place. Some opted to leave the area on foot or pay for private transportation, with reports of vans charging up to $10 per person for a ride down.
Emergency personnel from the Quito Fire Department were deployed to the site as a precaution, although no injuries were reported.
The incident has prompted renewed calls from visitors for improved planning and communication during weather-related disruptions at one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions.