Seventy-three skiers rescued from ski lift gondolas

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Seventy-three skiers have been rescued from a series of four-person gondolas on a ski lift in the French Pyranees after being stranded for four hours.

The incident happened in Bagneres-de-Luchon, 100 kilometers southwest of Toulouse, after a power chain on the ski lift broke on Sunday.

Thanks to mild weather, there were no injures, according to French media.

The gondolas ferry skiers from an altitude of 600 metres in Luchon to 1800 metres on the ski slopes of Superbagneres.

Most of the stranded were lowered to safety by ropes by 70 helpers. About 20 people were rescued by helicopters.

-AAP