A woman was killed when a ski gondola crashed down a snowy mountain at Engelberg ski resort in the Swiss Alps, local officials say.
Police in the central Swiss canton of Nidwalden said the gondola detached from the cable for reasons that are still unclear at about 11:00 (10:00 GMT) on Wednesday.
Eyewitnesses told Swiss media that strong winds were buffeting the mountainside when the crash happened.
Dramatic video has emerged showing the gondola tumbling down Mt Titlis and flipping over several times before coming to a halt.
Authorities confirmed the victim was a 61-year-old woman from the region. The cause of the crash is now being investigated.
Nidwalden canton police stated the woman was alone in the Titlis Xpress ski gondola when it detached. The gondola had just left the Trübsee station and was climbing the middle section of the mountain when the accident occurred.
Police and rescue services were immediately dispatched to the scene. Reports mentioned the involvement of air rescue services and ambulances in the operation.
Witnesses described extremely strong winds that had left the gondolas swaying, with reported gusts exceeding 80 km/h (50 mph). The gondola service is usually halted when winds reach over 60 km/h.
One ski camper recounted seeing the gondola fall, horrified by the sight. The cable car service was subsequently suspended, with reports indicating between 100 and 200 passengers were safely brought down from about 40 gondolas.
The ski lift management expressed their condolences, stating: Our thoughts are with the victim's loved ones.\
