In brief
A ski lift accident at the Astún resort in the Spanish Pyrenees has left 10 individuals injured, including two women who are currently in intensive care. Eyewitness accounts describe the chaos as a pulley failure caused several chairs to plummet to the ground, throwing skiers into the snow below.
The incident occurred when a pulley came loose, leading to a slackening cable and the dramatic fall of several ski lift seats. While initial reports suggested that as many as 30 people might have been injured, later updates clarified the number of injuries to a total of 10. Two 18-year-old women remain hospitalized in serious condition at a local facility.Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his shock in light of the incident and confirmed that he spoke with regional President Jorge Azcón to extend the full support of the government to those affected. Azcón reassured the public that all necessary emergency services are working diligently to provide assistance for those injured and their families.Witness Jaime Pelegri recounted the harrowing experience, stating, "It was very scary, but very fast," while noting that emergency responders arrived swiftly on the scene. Images circulating on social media indicate structural damage, particularly to one of the chairlift's flywheels, and investigations are ongoing to uncover the cause of the malfunction.Emergency services were quick to respond, and a telephone line has been established for families seeking information about their loved ones. The Astún resort, popular among local skiers, is situated in the Aragon region close to the France-Spain border, and its closure following the accident continues to raise safety concerns within the skiing community.As the investigation continues, further updates are expected regarding the safety protocols in place at ski resorts throughout the region.
