PARIS — On Tuesday morning, six individuals sustained injuries, two of which were described as severe, due to an incident involving a cable car at the Val Thorens ski resort located in the French Alps. Fortunately, none of the injuries are considered life-threatening.

The incident took place around 7:30 a.m., amid challenging weather conditions and at an elevation exceeding 3,000 meters (9,842 feet), as reported by officials from the Savoie prefecture. A cabin from the Cime Caron cable car, which was being utilized for construction purposes, struck the arrival station while transporting 16 workers.

Emergency services, including firefighters, paramedics, ski patrol personnel, and high-altitude rescue teams, were swiftly dispatched to the scene. The workers who were injured were evacuated using a nearby gondola, according to the authorities.

In response to the situation, the prefecture implemented a crisis management unit and initiated a “mass casualty plan” to ensure the effective coordination of rescue operations.

Val Thorens is a particularly high-altitude ski destination in the Alps, appealing to skiers seeking reliable snow, especially as climate change impacts lower-elevation resorts. It features approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) of ski runs, with elevations ranging from 2,300 meters up to 3,200 meters, making it a popular choice among visitors from all over Europe. The resort is part of the renowned 3 Vallées ski area, which includes luxurious locations such as Courchevel and Méribel—haunts for the affluent and famous.

Established in 1982, the Cime Caron cable car was celebrated as the longest in the world at the time of its inauguration, according to the resort’s own information.

This unfortunate incident occurred just four days prior to the scheduled opening of the resort for the winter season on November 23.