A devastating accident at the Astún ski resort on the Spanish-French border has left dozens injured after a chair lift collapsed.
Astún ski resort tragedy: Here’s what we know
According to reports, the incident, which occurred in the Pyrenees mountain range on Saturday, 18 January 2025, resulted in at least 30 injuries, with nine individuals reported to be in critical condition and eight others seriously hurt, according to regional authorities.
Eyewitness accounts describe a sudden loss of tension in the lift cable, causing chairs to detach and fall to the snow below. Jamie Pelegri, who was on the lift at the time, told Sky News,
“It was a very scary moment… the chairs surrounding us were falling back.”
Pelegri noted that some skiers appeared to fall from heights of 10 to 15 metres.
Images and videos from the scene show skiers lying injured near the collapsed lift.
Emergency services, including helicopters, were swiftly deployed to the area to assist in the rescue operation.
Despite these efforts, around 80 people remained trapped on the chair lift for a significant period after the collapse.
The cause of the accident is not yet known. Investigators have begun a preliminary review to determine what led to the incident.
Witnesses reported that the lift cable appeared to “bounce,” possibly dislodging chairs and causing the catastrophic failure.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his shock and extended his support to the victims and their families.
“All our affection to the injured and their families,” Sánchez said in a statement.
Jorge Azcón, the president of the Aragon government, has travelled to the site and is working closely with national and regional officials to coordinate rescue and investigation efforts.