Ski Lift Catastrophe Injures Dozens, Even More Are Stranded in Mid-Air [WATCH]

A chairlift accident at Astun Ski Resort in northeastern Spain has left dozens of people injured, with several victims in critical condition.

The incident occurred this morning in the Aragon Valley, a popular skiing destination, and has prompted a major emergency response.

According to local reports, 39 people have sustained injuries, including nine who are in very serious condition.

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The accident involved the derailing of a chairlift, causing some chairs to fall to the ground while others bounced violently on the cable.

Approximately 80 people were initially reported trapped on the chairlift, and emergency crews are working to evacuate them.

SKI LIFT COLLAPSES IN SPAIN—DOZENS INJURED, 80 STILL TRAPPED

A ski lift failure at Astun resort in northern Spain injured dozens, with 9 critically hurt and 80 people still stranded mid-air.

Witnesses say a cable snapped, throwing skiers from their chairs. Helicopters are… pic.twitter.com/DVN3iBlXyk

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 18, 2025

Five helicopters and a dozen ambulances were dispatched to the scene to transport injured individuals to nearby hospitals.

Initially, Jaca Hospital was placed on alert to receive casualties, but several other hospitals in the region are now also treating victims.

Miguel Ángel Clavero, head of emergencies for the Aragon government, confirmed the severity of the situation.

“There’s been a failure of the return on one of the chairlifts, and that has caused loss of tension and led to chairlifts falling,” Clavero said. “Three people have been evacuated, two by helicopter, including a woman who needs an emergency operation.”

BREAKING: At least 30 people have been injured after a chair lift collapsed at a Spanish ski resort in Astún. Emergency services, including a helicopter, are on site to treat and transport the injured.pic.twitter.com/AF8dMfDWik

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Survivors and witnesses described the chaotic moments following the malfunction.

One skier, Oscar, told a Spanish television station, “A pulley wheel appears to have broken or come loose, and the cable started to jump around. Every time it happened, we went up and down. We were lucky in that we didn’t hit the ground, but others in front of us did and received blows to their faces and other parts of their body.”

Another survivor, María Moreno, recounted her experience to public broadcaster TVE: “Suddenly we heard a sound, and we fell straight to the ground, inside the chair. We bounced up and down about five times, and our backs were quite sore, but others fell out of the chairs.”

Moreno added, “The truth is that we were very scared. There must be people with serious injuries because the chair hit them directly.”

30 injured as ski lift COLLAPSES in Spanish resort of Astun pic.twitter.com/Zi1uQvDucF

— RT (@RT_com) January 18, 2025

The regional government of Aragon has confirmed the ongoing evacuation of victims and set up a special hotline for the families of those affected.

A spokesman for the government-run emergency response coordination center described the event as a “chairlift accident with multiple casualties.”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his shock over the incident in a tweet: “Shocked by the news of the accident at Astun Ski Resort. I have spoken to Aragon President Jorge Azcon to offer him the government’s full support.”

Jorge Azcon, who traveled to the scene, has been overseeing the emergency response.

The regional government reported that while evacuations are still underway, it is aware of “eight people who are seriously hurt and nine who are very seriously injured.”

Preliminary reports suggest that the accident was caused by a mechanical failure in the chairlift system, specifically the loss of tension in the return cable.

BREAKING: At least 30 people have been injured in Spain after a ski lift accident.

Read more: https://t.co/1grLXGIlea

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Authorities are conducting a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause of the malfunction and ensure the safety of the resort’s facilities.

Astun Ski Resort remains closed as emergency crews continue their work. The full extent of the casualties and damages will likely be known in the coming days.

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