Survival and Struggle: Two Women Fight for Recovery After Ski Lift Tragedy

Two young women are still in critical condition after a chairlift at a ski resort in Spain collapsed on Saturday, resulting in multiple injuries.

The Astún resort, situated in the Spanish Pyrenees where the occurrence took place, was shut down while emergency services responded but has since resumed operations.

A malfunction in the pulley seems to have caused a cable to become loose, resulting in several chairs plummeting to the ground, sending skiers into the snow.

Authorities are probing into the circumstances surrounding the malfunction, as reported by state media. A statement from the resort emphasized that it has “complete permits and inspections”.

Initial estimates from regional officials indicated that approximately 30 individuals were injured, but the ski resort later confirmed that around 15 people were deemed injured.

Local emergency personnel assessed those who had fallen at the resort. They reported that 10 people were transported to the hospital, while 20 others were treated “on the scene”.

The two 18-year-olds in the most serious condition were airlifted to a hospital in Zaragoza, according to reports from Spanish state media. One is reported to be stable, while the other is still under observation but showing signs of improvement.

A pulley at one end of the lift became detached, and a portion of the structure supporting it collapsed, causing a cable to lose tension and several seats to drop, as per state broadcaster TVE.

Numerous individuals stranded on the 15m-high (50ft) chairlift received assistance to descend.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed he was “dismayed” upon learning of the incident.

Jaime Pelegri, a passenger on the lift, informed the BBC that a cable lost tension right before the chairs on his side fell.

“It was incredibly frightening, yet very quick,” he recounted – noting that ambulances and helicopters appeared on the scene within 15 minutes.

Earlier, he posted on X: “Fortunately we are okay, but there are injured individuals; we have seen several stretchers being brought down.”

Visuals shared on social media seem to indicate that one of the chairlift’s flywheels was dislodged from its upright position.

Regional President Jorge Azcón and Spain’s Minister of the Interior Roberto Bermúdez de Castro arrived at the location.

Azcón tweeted on X: “All essential services of the [government] are functioning to support those affected and injured.”

PM Pedro Sánchez stated he had communicated with Azcón to provide the “total backing” of the government.

A helpline has been established for the families of those impacted.

The Astún resort, favored by Spanish skiers, is located within the Aragon region of the Pyrenees mountains, close to the French border.