97 Fall Victims from Black Ice Overwhelm Andorra Hospitals

Hospital Nostra Senyora de Meritxell treated 97 patients for falls on black ice between 6:50am and 1:30pm on Thursday, SAAS sources confirmed, with firefighters conducting 15 transports and SUM ambulances handling 53 callouts, primarily in Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany.

Injuries mainly consisted of simple bone fractures from bracing during slips, contusions, several lumbar fractures, and isolated femur breaks. Early reports noted 54 cases by 9am, rising to around 60 soon after and nearly 100 by midday as the thin ice layer lingered. The hazard stemmed from overnight rain freezing on contact with sub-zero surfaces in the central valley, due to thermal inversion trapping cold air below warmer layers aloft. Temperatures hit -0.8°C at 7am in Escaldes stations, compared to 5.8°C in higher La Cortinada.

Key hotspots were Avinguda Carlemany, where 12 people required firefighter lifts early on, along with Plaça dels Coprínceps, Creu Blanca, Parc de la Mola, Baixada del Molí, and the cobbled old town in Andorra la Vella. Emergency lines faced overload, with some callers warned of saturation.

Parish authorities ramped up responses despite the unexpected intensity. In Escaldes-Engordany, snow ploughs operated from 11pm Wednesday, with salting starting at 6am on roads, pavements, squares, parking areas, and walkways—prioritizing hospital and school access. Shovels, quads, and foot teams followed, distributing 4,900kg of salt despite rain dilution; effects became noticeable after 11am amid 10 priority interventions.

Andorra la Vella's hygiene teams patrolled from 4am, doubling staff by 6am around health centres, schools, and commercial areas. Eight vehicles and 14 workers, supported by environment and public works units, addressed 38 traffic alerts and five public reports, focusing on slopes like Baixada del Molí and the old town. Operations followed forecasts from around 10pm Wednesday. Deputy consul Olalla Losada noted crews had salted all icy spots with continuous checks, adding that overnight predictions overlooked the ice but warned of further cooling. She urged sturdy footwear, hugging building edges, constant vigilance, and avoiding outings for vulnerable groups.

Other parishes saw minimal impact. Ordino reported two falls, deploying its full snow unit—five jeeps, a Unimog, two quads, and four shovel teams—from dawn. Encamp had none, aided by milder inversion effects. La Massana salted its core from 4am, bypassing Pal and Arinsal where no ice formed, with zero incidents and warning signs posted. Canillo spread seven tonnes of salt using 10 machines and 17 workers, also incident-free.

Public complaints emerged online about forecast gaps, salting delays, and service strain, with witnesses describing untreated ice at key central spots early Thursday. Property owners remain responsible for clearing adjacent pavements, as with snow. Efforts persist into Friday amid lingering risks.