Ski lift collapse injures at least 30 people

At least 30 people are reported to have been injured, 17 of them seriously, after falling on a ski slope in northern Spain.

The Astún ski resort in the Spanish Pyrenees, where the incident took place, has been closed and rescue operations are on site.

Photos and videos circulating on social media appear to show several people lying on the snow below the ski lift.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he was “surprised” by the incident.

Ambulances and helicopters have been transporting injured people to nearby hospitals.

One of Spain’s public broadcasters said dozens of people were hanging from a 15-meter high chair waiting to be rescued.

A witness told local media that it looked like a cable had come down, chairs had been hit and people had been thrown from a height.

The cause of the cable failure is still unknown.

Images on social media show that one of the chairlift’s links has been removed.

Video posted by Spain’s Guardia Civil shows a helicopter hovering over the area before landing to allow emergency workers to descend.