Dozens rescued dangling from cable cars over Germany's Rhine River

July 31 (UPI) -- Fire crews on Sunday evening rescued 75 passengers aboard cable cars that stopped in mid-air over the Rhine River in Germany.

Some of the 32 stopped cars were 130 feet above the river in Cologne when one was believed to have struck a support structure, causing one of its wheels to separate from its guide cable. The accident brought all travel over the river to a halt.

More than 150 rescue personnel and a crane were involved in rescuing the stranded passengers, which included children.

No injuries were reported.

The passengers were secured with harnesses before they were lowered from the cars to land, and to watercraft.

Cologne Mayor Henriette Reker thanked rescue workers and added, "My thoughts were with the children and adults, who had to wait courageously and patiently for hours."

The cable car ride has been in operation since 1957 and is regarded as a Cologne tourist attraction.