Panic erupted at a popular ski resort when a chairlift suddenly malfunctioned, leaving terrified passengers stranded high above the ground in freezing temperatures.
Horrified onlookers watched as the lift came to an abrupt halt, with skiers screaming for help while dangling precariously in their seats. The incident, captured on video by shocked witnesses, shows the moment the mechanical failure occurred during what should have been a routine ascent.
Desperate Calls for Rescue
"We heard people shouting and crying for help," said one eyewitness. "The lift just stopped dead, and you could see people clinging on for dear life. It was absolutely terrifying."
Emergency services rushed to the scene as resort staff attempted to calm the stranded passengers. The exact cause of the malfunction remains under investigation, but early reports suggest a mechanical failure in the lift's drive system.
Dramatic Rescue Operation
Rescue teams worked for hours to safely evacuate all passengers, using specialized equipment to lower people to the ground one by one. Several individuals required medical attention for exposure to the extreme cold and shock.
"This was our worst nightmare scenario," admitted a resort spokesperson. "We have strict safety protocols and regular maintenance checks, but clearly something went terribly wrong."
Ski Safety Under Scrutiny
The incident has reignited debates about winter sports safety standards, with experts calling for more rigorous inspections of aging lift infrastructure. Many resorts across Europe and North America operate chairlifts that are decades old.
"Modern safety systems should prevent this kind of catastrophic failure," said a ski equipment engineer. "There needs to be a thorough investigation to determine exactly what went wrong and how to prevent it happening again."
The resort has temporarily closed the affected lift pending a full safety review, while authorities have launched an official inquiry into the incident.
