A dream ski trip in the scenic Montenegrin mountains turned into a nightmare Sunday when a German tourist plunged 230 feet to his death after a catastrophic ski lift collision at the Savin Kuk resort. His wife, also aboard the chairlift, survived but remains hospitalized with severe injuries.
The deadly incident unfolded around midday at the Durmitor National Park resort, where two double chairlifts reportedly slammed into one another. Witnesses described a sudden jolt followed by screams as one of the baskets “snapped and hit the other,” according to local outlet Pobjeda.
“I heard metal grinding, then shouting,” said one skier who was nearby. “People were dangling in the air — it was chaos.”
Authorities said the 34-year-old man fell roughly 70 meters (230 feet) to his death. His wife, 30, was trapped in the twisted wreckage before rescuers managed to reach her. She suffered a fractured femur and head trauma and was airlifted to a nearby hospital.
Local emergency crews spent hours rescuing other stranded tourists as winds howled through the mountains. “Conditions were brutal,” said a member of the Durmitor Mountain Rescue Service. “Visibility was low, and every minute counted.”
Žabljak’s mayor, Rados Zugic, called for a full investigation, saying, “We insist on a comprehensive and transparent inquiry to determine responsibility. This tragedy must never happen again.”
Montenegro’s Ministry of Tourism confirmed the lift has been shut down pending inspection. The victims’ names have not been released publicly, but German consular officials are assisting the family.
Savin Kuk, one of Montenegro’s most popular ski destinations, draws thousands of winter tourists each year with its panoramic slopes and budget-friendly packages. Safety inspections are reportedly conducted annually, though questions are now mounting about maintenance lapses and operator training.
Local media reported that three other tourists were trapped on the lift for nearly three hours before being safely brought down by rescuers.
As the investigation unfolds, shocked visitors have been leaving flowers and candles at the resort base. “They were just here to have fun,” said one resort worker. “No one should die this way.”
Source: Die Frankfurter Rundschau, Vijesti, Pobjeda, local authorities.
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