Ski Lift Collapse Injures Dozens of People and Traps About 80 Skiers in Chairlifts at Resort: ‘We Were Hurt’

Mar. 15, 2025

A helicopter at the Astún ski resort in Spain on Jan. 18, 2025.Photo:Veronica Lacasa/Europa Press via Getty

Veronica Lacasa/Europa Press via Getty

A ski lift that collapsed at a resort in the Pyrenees mountains in Spain left dozens of people injured and more skiers trapped in chairlifts, according to Spain’s Civil Guard.

The law enforcement agency shared in an X post that it was coordinating rescue efforts with other agencies, including Mountain Rescue, at the Astún ski resort in the Aragon region of Spain on Saturday, Jan. 18, after a “15-meter high chairlift line” fell.

Alongside the post, the Civil Guard shared a video of Civil Guard members getting into a helicopter and flying to the resort. One clip showed a large group of people gathered in the snow below a section of the ski lifts, which were immobile. Another scene appeared to show crowds of people gathered outside the resort as the ski lift was being fixed.

About 30 people were injured in the incident, though no fatalities were reported, regional emergency services toldThe GuardianandCNN. Ten people were transported to the hospital — two of whom were transported with “maximum priority” and another two who required “urgent attention,” according to the outlets.

About 80 others remained hanging on the chairlifts as emergency services got to the scene, according toReuters.

Emergency services personnel at the Astún ski resort on Jan. 18 in Spain.Veronica Lacasa/Europa Press via Getty

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“In the first instance, as people are still on the lift, Guardia Civil officers, firefighters and ski station workers are trying to get them down and to safety,” he added.

Ambulances at the Astún ski resort on Jan. 18 in Spain.Veronica Lacasa/Europa Press via Getty

“We send all our love to the injured and to their families,” he added.

source: people.com