In brief
A ski lift malfunction at Astún resort injured 10 people, with two in intensive care
The recent ski lift collapse at the Astún resort in the Spanish Pyrenees has resulted in 10 injuries, including two women who are currently in intensive care. The incident triggered immediate response from rescue services as the resort was closed to manage the situation. Initial reports had indicated 30 injuries, which were later revised down to 10, with ambulances and helicopters transporting several victims to hospitals.The chaos was reportedly caused by a pulley failure that led to a slackened cable, resulting in chairs dropping and skiers being thrown from their seats. Eyewitness Jaime Pelegri recounted how the cable suddenly lost tension before chairs fell on his side of the lift. “It was very scary, but very fast,” he said, noting the quick arrival of emergency personnel who responded within 15 minutes. Images circulating on social media show a disturbing scene, with one of the chairlift's flywheels visibly off its upright position. Regional President Jorge Azcón and Spain's Minister of the Interior, Roberto Bermúdez de Castro, were on-site to oversee recovery efforts, with Azcón stating that all necessary government services are dedicated to assisting the injured.Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his shock over the incident and confirmed his support for the affected individuals and families. A helpline has been established for those impacted by the accident. The Astún ski resort, well-frequented by local skiers, is situated in the northeastern Aragon region, close to the French border.
