Emergency officials in Spain reported that around 30 people were injured when a ski lift collapsed at the Astun ski resort in the Pyrenees mountains. The incident occurred at approximately 12:00 p.m. local time, with ten individuals requiring hospitalization, including two with 'maximum priority' and two in need of urgent attention. Fortunately, there were no fatalities resulting from the collapse.
The ski lift, standing at a height of 15 meters, suffered a structural failure when one of its pulleys became loose, causing part of the lift to collapse. As a result, some of the chairs on the lift were destabilized, leading to some passengers being thrown off or trapped upside down.
Witnesses described the chaotic scene, with one individual recounting how the chairs bounced and people were thrown off as if a cable had come loose. Video footage shared by the Civil Guard showed numerous individuals stranded in the snow on the mountain following the collapse.
By 3 p.m. local time, all individuals left stranded were successfully evacuated from the scene. Spanish President Pedro Sanchez expressed shock at the news and reached out to Aragon's president to offer support from the Spanish government. Sanchez extended his sympathies to the injured and their families, emphasizing the government's concern for their well-being.
