Andorra Civil Protection Blasts Communes for Icy Streets Causing 130+ Injuries

Civil Protection has criticised the communes of Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany for failing to act amid icy conditions that left more than 130 people injured from falls.

Cristian Pons, director of Civil Protection, acknowledged that forecasts did not predict the sudden freeze, including those used by his department. However, he stressed that over-reliance on weather models—which carry error margins—should not replace on-the-ground preventive measures.

Pons specifically faulted the local authorities for not salting streets and pavements in recent days, despite time available to do so. He noted that maintaining urban roadsides falls squarely under the communes' responsibility, and their inaction contributed to over 100 falls that caught residents off guard.

The episode has sparked fresh debate over winter risk management. Pons expressed concern to ATV about some administrations dodging accountability by shifting blame to other bodies, even though urban competence is clear-cut. He warned that similar disputes could resurface if harsher winter patterns return.

Civil Protection also highlighted institutional shortcomings in responding to such large-scale incidents. Looking ahead, the department's priorities through 2026 include mobile phone alerts, centralising the 112 emergency line, and updating emergency plans.