A tragic incident at the Astún ski resort in northeast Spain has left 17 people seriously injured after a chairlift collapsed, causing skiers to fall 15 metres to the ground.
Emergency services report that three of the injured are in critical condition. The accident occurred at the busy Pyrenean resort, located in the Aragón region. This was on a day when the slopes were packed with visitors.
Emergency response underway
Rescue efforts are ongoing as emergency services, including Guardia Civil officers, firefighters, and ski station staff, work to evacuate people still stranded on the malfunctioning lift. Moreover, helicopters from Aragón and multiple ambulances have been deployed to the scene. Meanwhile, hospitals in Huesca and Zaragoza remain on high alert. Psychologists have also been mobilised to support victims and their families.
https://x.com/guardiacivil/status/1880604310700265583
The regional government confirmed that four helicopters, 10 ambulances, and a mobile medical unit are assisting in the rescue and treatment of those injured. Authorities activated an emergency plan across hospitals in the region to cope with the influx of casualties.
Witness accounts highlight chaos
Oscar, a skier who witnessed the accident, described how a pulley wheel on the chairlift appeared to malfunction, causing the cable to jerk violently. “We went up and down each time the cable moved,” he said. “We were lucky not to hit the ground, but others ahead of us weren’t so fortunate.”
Another witness, María Moreno, recounted her experience to Spanish broadcaster TVE: “We heard a sound, and then we fell straight to the ground. The chair bounced multiple times, causing back injuries. Others fell completely out of their seats.”
Official response and investigation
Regional emergency services initially estimated that as many as 35 people were injured. This figure was later revised to 30, with 10 requiring hospital treatment and 20 assessed and discharged at the scene. Miguel Ángel Clavero, head of Aragón’s emergency services, attributed the accident to a failure in the ski lift’s return system. This led to a breakdown in cable tension. “Rescuers are focused on ensuring everyone is brought down safely,” he said, urging visitors to leave the area to free up the car park for emergency vehicles.
The resort has been closed, and an investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.
National and regional support
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his shock and offered the central government’s support to Aragón’s regional president, Jorge Azcón. “Our thoughts are with the injured and their families,” Sánchez wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Azcón, who visited the site alongside Interior Minister Roberto Bermúdez de Castro, praised the swift response of the emergency teams and reiterated the region’s commitment to supporting those affected. “All necessary services are working to assist the injured,” he said.
Safety measures under scrutiny
The collapse of the chairlift has raised concerns about safety protocols at ski resorts, particularly during peak times. With the resort experiencing ideal skiing conditions, the slopes were crowded, heightening the risk of severe injuries during such incidents. Questions remain about the maintenance and operation of the lift system, with calls for thorough inspections across all Spanish ski resorts.
As rescue operations continue, authorities are focused on ensuring the safety of remaining skiers and providing care to those injured in one of Spain’s worst ski resort accidents in recent memory.
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