Dozens injured and even more stranded after chairlift derails at popular ski resort

Dozens of people have been injured after a chairlift collapsed on a ski slope at a popular Spanish resort.

The incident happened at the Astún snow park in the Aragón Valley along the Spanish-French border around midday.

One of the chairlift cables along the Canal Roya slope came ‘loose’, sending those aboard falling to the ground, Navarra Televisión reported.

Some skiers have been spotted still ‘clinging to the cable’ as helicopters are mobilised.

Emergency services are now rescuing the some 80 skiers stuck on the passenger ropeway after the service was stopped.

Regional emergency services officials confirmed to the radio station RTVEAragón that there have been ‘multiple casualties’.

Preliminary reports say nine people were ‘very seriously’ wounded while another eight suffered moderate injuries.

At least one woman is being transferred to Miguel Servet Hospital, about 80 miles south of the resort, by air.

Witnesses told El Periódico that around 30 people were injured, with the true toll unclear as skiers are being evacuated.

Aragón hospitals – Jaca, Huesca, Miguel Servet, Clínico Universitario, Royo Villanova and Barbastro – are on standby for an influx of casualties.

A dedicated telephone number for families of the victims has been set up.

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