Ski lift collapse injures at least 30 people

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

The resort of Astún in the Spanish Pyrenees, where the incident took place, has been closed and rescuers are at the scene.

Photos and videos circulating on social media appear to show dozens of people lying on the snow under the ski lift.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he was “shocked” by news of the incident.

Ambulances and helicopters were transporting the injured to nearby hospitals.

One of the Spanish broadcasters reports that a number of people are still hanging from a chair 15 meters high waiting to be rescued.

An eyewitness told the media that it looked like the rope had come down, the chairs were overturned and people were thrown up.

The cause of the cable failure is currently unknown.

Pictures on social media show that one of the chairlift operators is out.

Video posted by Spain's Guardia Civil shows a helicopter flying over the scene before landing to allow emergency workers to land.