Investigation into Chairlift Accident in Spain
19th January 2025
Last modified on January 21st, 2025
Two teenagers are in intensive care after the incident at Astun in the Spanish Pyrenees. The resort has re-opened but the lift remains shut. UPDATED
The cable holding the lift slackened without warning with some chairs dropping to the ground.
The two teenagers are both 18-years old and female.
It was initially feared dozens may have been seriously injured.
An investigation is being carried out by the Aragon regional authorities, the lift’s manufacturer and the company that runs the ski area, Eivasa.
Eivasa has said that all the lifts in the resort met with required safety standadrds and certifications were up to date.
The state broadcaster, TVE, said a pulley at one end of the chairlift came loose and part of the structure supporting it then collapsed.
This caused a cable to lose tension and several chairs fell with dozens of skiers and snowboarders needing to be winched down by the rescue services.
The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, said he was “shocked” by the news of the incident and the central government will offer all assistance necessary.
Astun is popular with Spanish skiers and is situated in the Aragon region of the Pyrenees mountains, near the border with France.
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