Two young women remain in intensive care after a chairlift at the Astún ski resort in the Spanish Pyrenees collapsed on Saturday, leaving several people injured.
The incident occurred during the height of the ski season, causing widespread concern and prompting a swift response from rescue teams.
The ski resort, located in the Aragon region near the French border, was initially closed as emergency services responded to the accident. The resort has since reopened, but the cause of the collapse is still under investigation.
Preliminary reports suggest that a pulley failure caused a cable to slacken, leading to several chairlifts falling to the ground and throwing skiers into the snow below.
Regional officials initially estimated that around 30 people were injured, but the ski resort later revised the number, confirming that approximately 15 people were hurt.
Local emergency teams provided on-site triage and transferred 10 individuals to hospital. Another 20 people were treated at the scene and discharged without the need for further medical care.
Among the injured, two 18-year-old women sustained the most serious injuries. They were airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in Zaragoza for further treatment.
One of the women is reported to be in stable condition, while the other remains under observation, though her condition is reportedly improving.
Eyewitness accounts provide a harrowing account of the collapse. Jaime Pelegri, a skier who was on the lift at the time of the accident, described the terrifying moment when a cable lost tension and caused the chairs on his side of the lift to fall.
“It was very scary, but very fast,” Pelegri told the BBC. “Ambulances and helicopters arrived at the scene within 15 minutes.”
He later shared his relief on social media, writing, “Luckily we are fine but there are injured people. We have seen several stretchers coming down.”
Images on social media showed the wreckage of the lift, including one of the flywheels of the chairlift’s structure appearing off its upright position.
Rescue operations were quickly launched, and dozens of people who were left dangling 15 meters (50 feet) above the ground were assisted down by rescue teams.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his shock at the incident and pledged government support for the victims. He spoke with Regional President Jorge Azcón, who visited the scene, to offer the “full support” of the Spanish government.
The Minister of the Interior, Roberto Bermúdez de Castro, also visited the resort. Azcón reassured the public that “all necessary services” were mobilized to assist those affected.
The resort, which remains popular among Spanish skiers, has come under scrutiny regarding its safety measures.
Authorities have emphasized that the facility is fully licensed and has passed all required inspections. However, the investigation into the precise cause of the failure is ongoing.
A special telephone line has been set up for the families of those affected, and support services are available to those involved in the traumatic event.
As the investigation continues, the incident has sparked concerns about safety in ski resorts, particularly with regard to chairlift operations and maintenance standards.
The Astún resort remains open, but the incident has left a somber mark on what is typically a joyful winter destination.