- Many people were injured in a chairlift accident in northeastern Spain
- According to the latest information, two of those affected are in critical condition, the government of the Aragon region said.
- According to various reports, a total of eight to 17 people were injured in the accident at the Astún ski station in the Pyrenees in the province of Huesca.
The rescue work was still in full swing hours later. The exact cause of the accident is being investigated, it said. The nationalities of the injured were initially not disclosed.
Within seconds, the idyllic winter paradise was transformed into a place of horror: some people fell from a height of 15 meters when, according to available findings, a component came loose around 12 p.m. and the structure partially collapsed. Eyewitnesses reported heartbreaking screams. The ski station was immediately closed.
“Others rolled down the slopes”
Many people were still stuck at dizzy heights hours after the accident. They were gradually rappelled down or rescued by helicopter. This part of the operation has now been completed. According to a report by the TV station RTVE, dozens of ambulances and five helicopters were on site.
Some people were able to escape by jumping – like Maria Moreno. The Spaniard described the chaotic moments in an interview with RTVE: “I was in the elevator with my father when it suddenly jerked. Some fell headfirst, others rolled down the slopes.
She jumped off at the last moment and alerted the rescue services. “The seriously injured were probably mostly hit by the falling structure,” speculated Moreno.
Prime Minister expresses sympathy
The bad news also sparked concern in the Madrid government palace, Palacio de la Moncloa. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his condolences on social media: “I am deeply shocked by the news from Astún. Our thoughts are with the injured and their families.” Aragon’s Prime Minister Jorge Azcón even rushed to the scene of the accident.
-Accidents are not uncommon
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The ski stations in the Spanish Pyrenees are very popular in winter, especially with local tourists, but also with foreigners. Accidents with fatalities are not uncommon there. Most recently, there were three accidents in 2022 with a total of three fatalities. But these accidents usually happen while skiing – the sports tracks are considered safe.
The surrounding hospitals were put on high alert. Two seriously injured women, who according to official information are the cause of greatest concern, were flown by helicopter to clinics in the regional capital Zaragoza.
In addition to members of the emergency services, the police and the fire department, psychologists were also deployed in Astún to look after the traumatized visitors to the ski area. “We are doing everything in our power,” said the head of the regional emergency services, Miguel Ángel Clavero, on television.
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