Ski Lift Collapse Injures Dozens and Leaves 80 Skiers Trapped

A relaxing day in the Pyrenees turned into a nightmare on January 18, 2025, when a ski lift at the Astún resort in northern Spain collapsed, injuring at least 30 people and trapping 80 others in midair.

Rescue teams from Spain’s Civil Guard, local firefighters, and Mountain Rescue units acted swiftly. Helicopters were deployed to reach stranded skiers suspended 15 meters above the ground. The scene was chaotic, with frightened onlookers gathered outside the resort as emergency workers labored to extract passengers from the dangling chairlifts.

Miguel Ángel Clavero, head of Aragon’s emergency services, confirmed, “The collapse was caused by a failure in the ski lift return system, disrupting its tension and leading to the incident.”

Clavero emphasized the need to evacuate the area. “We’ve asked visitors to clear the parking lot to ensure ambulances and rescue crews have full access,” he told Aragon TV.

Of the 30 injured, ten required hospitalization. Four were in serious condition, with two labeled as “maximum priority” cases.

Local skier María Moreno described the harrowing moment to TVE: “We heard a loud snap and then fell straight to the ground inside the chair. We bounced up and down five times. My back is sore, but others were thrown from their seats.”

Another witness told reporters, “The cable snapped, and chairs started bouncing. People screamed as they hit the snow.”

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his concern on social media, offering support to Aragon’s regional government. “We send our love to the injured and their families,” he wrote.

The accident has reignited debates over safety at Spain’s ski resorts. While no fatalities occurred, locals are calling for stricter oversight of ski lift maintenance.

Astún, known for its picturesque slopes and bustling winter crowds, was closed following the accident. Skiers were asked to leave the resort as engineers inspected the damaged lift.

Retiree Antonio López, a frequent visitor to Astún, said this could have been much worse. “It’s a miracle nobody died. But this will stay in our minds whenever we use these lifts again.”

This tragedy raises broader questions about infrastructure reliability, especially in popular tourist areas. With Europe’s aging ski lift systems under increasing strain, the Astún incident serves as a wake-up call for government and industry leaders alike.

As the dust settles in the Pyrenees, Spain faces critical decisions about how to prevent such disasters in the future.