Despite a chairlift accident that left 30 injured, the Spanish ski resort of Astún reopened on Sunday. An investigation is underway to elucidate the circumstances of the malfunction which sowed panic among skiers. The last injured are still hospitalized.
While the ski resort of Astún, located in the Spanish Pyrenees near the French border, was preparing for an ordinary Saturday, a spectacular accident disrupted the tranquility of the place. A chairlift carrying no less than 80 people suffered damage to one of its pulleys, causing a loss of tension in the cable. Several seats came loose, violently throwing skiers to the ground, while others found themselves dangerously destabilized.
The provisional report shows 30 injured, ten of whom had to be hospitalized. Two of them were still under medical supervision on Sunday, suffering from trauma. The testimonies of the skiers involved describe scenes of panic, with falls of several meters and bounces on the ground. “We heard a noise, then the seat fell. We had to bounce five times, we hurt everywhere,” says María, still in shock.
An investigation to determine the causes
The day after the incident, the resort was able to reopen its doors, with skiers once again hitting the slopes as if nothing had happened. Only the damaged ski lift remains stationary, its cables and seats sealed. Because an investigation has been opened to try to understand what could have caused this unexpected damage.
According to the management company Eivasa, the causes of the malfunction are still unknown at this stage. Three separate but complementary investigations were launched: a judicial one carried out by the police, an administrative one carried out by the regional government of Aragon, and a final internal one carried out by the resort’s technicians in collaboration with the chairlift manufacturer.
All installations up to standard?
The deputy director of Eivasa, Andres Pita, nevertheless assures that “all the station’s installations, not just the one involved in the accident, are up to date with their mandatory inspections”. He emphasizes that the regulations on ski lifts in Aragon are particularly strict and demanding.
-It now remains to be determined whether this accident is due to a design defect, a maintenance problem or premature wear of certain parts. Skiers will only be able to regain complete peace of mind when all light has been shed on this mysterious malfunction. In the meantime, they will have to be patient in the queues for other lifts, hoping that this type of damage will not happen again.
Safety, priority for stations
Beyond the Astún case, this accident brings to the forefront the crucial issue of safety in ski resorts. With increasingly fast aircraft and increasingly busy runways, operators must be extra vigilant to prevent any incidents.
- Regular and thorough technical checks
- Reinforced preventive maintenance
- Continuing training of staff
- Well-established emergency protocols
So many essential measures to offer skiers the best conditions for skiing and relaxation, in a secure environment. Because if the mountain is synonymous with sensations and freedom, it should in no case rhyme with danger or recklessness.
We can bet that the lessons of this accident will be quickly learned, to allow everyone to peacefully enjoy the joys of snow. With constant vigilance and constant investments in the security of facilities, resorts have the means to guarantee their customers a stress-free vacation. Enough to hit the slopes with a light mind, focusing only on your turns and your times!
