Seven Buddhist monks, including three foreign nationals, tragically lost their lives after a cable-pulled rail car broke and plummeted down a mountainside in north-western Sri Lanka, authorities confirmed on Thursday.
The victims had been travelling to meditation units located atop a mountain within the sprawling Na Uyana Forest Monastery late on Wednesday night. Police reported that the small makeshift cabin was overcrowded.
A police official told AFP: “There were 13 monks in the car. Two managed to escape with minor injuries, but four others remain in critical condition.”
Among the deceased were monks from India, Russia, and Romania, according to authorities.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the cable snapped, causing the rail car to careen downhill at high speed. The vehicle then derailed and crashed into a tree, leading to the fatalities.
The Na Uyana Forest Monastery is situated approximately 130 kilometres (81 miles) northeast of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka.
Accident Overview
| Details | Information |
| Location | Na Uyana Forest Monastery, North-Western Sri Lanka |
| Incident Date | Wednesday night |
| Casualties | 7 monks killed, 4 critical, 2 minor injuries |
| Foreign Victims | 3 monks from India, Russia, and Romania |
| Cause | Cable snapped; rail car derailed and crashed |
| Vehicle Type | Cable-pulled rail car (makeshift cabin) |
| Distance from Capital | 130 km (81 miles) northeast of Colombo |
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the cause of the cable failure, and local police have urged safety reviews for similar transport systems within the region.
This tragedy has sent shockwaves through the Buddhist community both locally and internationally, highlighting the need for stricter safety measures in monastery transport systems.
