Dozens of skiers were injured after a chairlift collapsed in the popular and busy ski resort of Astún in Spain’s Pyrenees mountain range.

At least nine people were reported to be severely injured, and another eight seriously hurt, after the accident at 11.50am local time on Saturday.

Four helicopters were scrambled to help with treating and evacuating patients. Local media said at least 30 people had been injured to varying degrees and that one woman was fighting for her life and had been transferred to a hospital in Zaragoza.

The total number of people hurt is currently unknown. Hospitals were put on high alert in the region of Aragon. A hotline for relatives has been set up.

Images on social media appeared to show a wheel powering the chairlift had fallen to the ground and that the cable holding the chairs had loosened in places.