PARIS, NOV 19 – Eight workers were injured, two of them seriously, in a cable car accident at the ski resort of Val Thorens, France, authorities said today.
However, no life-threatening injuries were reported.
The accident happened around 7:30 a.m. local time as bad weather hit the Alps at an altitude of 3,000 meters, according to a statement from the Savoie prefecture, or regional administration.
The incident occurred when the cabin of the Cime Caron cable car, which was used for construction work, hit the arrival station with 16 workers inside.
Rescue teams, including firefighters, paramedics, ski patrollers and high mountain rescue teams, evacuated injured workers using nearby gondolas, officials said.
The Savoie prefecture also set up a crisis management center and launched a ‘crash’ action plan to coordinate rescue efforts.
Savoie regional prefect François Ravier said the injured were sent to hospitals in Annecy and Grenoble.
However, he did not provide any further details about the cause of the accident.
“It is still too early to know the exact circumstances that caused this accident. We have to wait for the results of the preliminary investigation,” said Ravier. – AP
