A ski lift collapsed at the Astún resort in the Pyrenees mountains of Spain, leaving dozens of people injured and many more trapped in chairlifts, according to the Civil Guard. The incident occurred on January 18 and was reported to have caused a “15-meter high chairlift line” to fall.
Rescue efforts are underway, with the Civil Guard coordinating with other agencies including Mountain Rescue. About 30 people were injured, with ten requiring hospital treatment, while about 80 others remained stranded on the chairlifts.
According to Miguel Ángel Clavero, head of Aragon’s emergency services, the incident was caused by a failure in the ski lift return system, which led to a breakdown in tension. The accident resulted in the closure of the ski station and the evacuation of the area.
Witnesses reported that the chairlift suddenly dropped, causing people to be thrown off or bounce around inside their seats. “It’s like a cable has come off, the chairs have bounced and people have been thrown off,” one witness said.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his shock at the incident and offered support to those affected, stating: “We send all our love to the injured and to their families.”
Source: https://people.com/ski-lift-collapse-injures-dozens-of-people-traps-skiers-resort-spain-8777020