Home Disaster Two Women in Intensive Care After Spain Ski Lift Collapse

Two Women in Intensive Care After Spain Ski Lift Collapse

Spain chairlift collapse
Listen to this article

A serious incident occurred at the Astún ski resort in the Spanish Pyrenees on Saturday when a chairlift collapsed, injuring several skiers and leaving two young women in intensive care. The resort has since reopened, but the incident has raised significant safety concerns.

Incident Overview

The collapse was reportedly caused by a pulley failure, which led to a cable slackening and several chairs dropping to the ground, throwing skiers into the snow below. Initial estimates suggested about 30 people were injured; however, the ski resort later clarified that around 15 individuals required medical attention.

Local emergency services promptly triaged those affected at the resort. Ten people were transported to hospitals, while 20 others were treated on-site. Among the injured, two 18-year-olds were airlifted to a hospital in Zaragoza, with one reported to be stable and the other improving under observation.

Eyewitness Accounts

Jaime Pelegri, a witness on the lift, described the incident as “very scary, but very fast.” He recounted hearing a cable lose tension before chairs on his side of the lift fell. Emergency responders, including ambulances and helicopters, arrived within 15 minutes to assist those affected.

Images circulating on social media depicted one of the chairlift’s flywheels off its upright position, indicating a significant structural failure. Regional President Jorge Azcón and Spain’s Minister of the Interior, Roberto Bermúdez de Castro, visited the scene to oversee the response and offer support.

Government Response

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his shock at the incident and confirmed that he spoke with Azcón to provide the “full support” of the government. A telephone line has been established for the families of those impacted by the collapse.

The Astún resort is a popular destination for skiers in Spain, located in the Aragon region of the Pyrenees mountains near the French border. While the resort is back in operation, authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse to prevent future incidents.

Conclusion

The ski lift collapse at Astún highlights the importance of safety measures in recreational facilities. As investigations continue, the focus remains on supporting those affected and ensuring that such accidents do not occur in the future. The ski community and local authorities are hopeful for the recovery of all injured individuals.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here