TL;DR
A major chairlift malfunction at Astún Ski Resort in northern Spain has resulted in over 30 injuries, with nine people in critical condition. The incident occurred when a support cable issue caused the top station bullwheel to fail, leading to a large-scale emergency response including helicopter evacuations.
Major Chairlift Failure at Spanish Ski Resort Leads to Mass Casualty Incident
A catastrophic chairlift collapse at Astún Ski Resort in northern Spain has left more than 30 people injured, with nine in critical condition and eight others seriously hurt, according to the Aragon regional government. The incident occurred on January 18 at the resort's Canal Roya lift.
The failure appears to have stemmed from a support cable problem that caused the bullwheel to detach from the top station. Emergency services rushed to evacuate approximately 80 people who were stranded on the lift, with helicopters deployed to assist in both rescue operations and medical transport.
The affected lift, Canal Roya, is a four-person fixed-grip chairlift manufactured by REAC Group. Installed in 1989, the lift operates between 1,920 meters (6,300 feet) and 2,128 meters (6,960 feet) in elevation, with a typical journey time of 6 minutes and an hourly capacity of 2,400 riders. It represents one of four chairlifts serving the resort.
Jorge Azcon, governor of the Aragon region, along with councillor Bermúdez de Castro, are heading to the resort to evaluate the situation personally.
Astún Ski Resort, located in the Aragón Valley of the Spanish Pyrenees near the French border, typically provides access to 50 kilometres of terrain when connected with neighbouring Candanchú. The resort operates at elevations between 1,650 and 2,300 meters, featuring 15 lifts that serve varied terrain for all skill levels. The resort maintains reliable conditions through artificial snowmaking and typically operates from December through April.
