The fall of a cable car cabin killed eight people and left two seriously injured on Sunday in the seaside resort of Stresa, in northern Italy.

The accident was due to the rupture of a cable on the highest part of the course, causing the cabin where 11 people were to fall.

The fall of a cable car cabin left eight dead and two seriously injured on Sunday in Stresa, a seaside resort in Piedmont on the shores of Lake Maggiore, in northern Italy, a rescue spokesman announced.

"The provisional toll is eight dead and two injured transported in absolute urgency to the Regina Margherita pediatric hospital in Turin," said Walter Milan.

Images of firefighters show the debris of the cabin in a wooded area whose steep slope makes it difficult to access.

Accident 300 m from the summit of Mount Mottarone 

The cable car popular with tourists connects the village of Stresa to Mount Mottarone in 20 minutes, which culminates at nearly 1,500 m, offering spectacular views of the Alps. The accident, which occurred 300 meters from the summit, is believed to be due to a broken cable, on the highest part of the course, causing the cabin in which 11 people were to fall, according to the Ansa agency.