Geneva, 18 March 2026 (dpa/MIA) - A woman has died after a cable car crashed in the Swiss ski resort of Engelberg amid high winds, police confirmed on Wednesday.

The cabin appeared to detach from the cable in strong winds, before crashing, sliding down a snow-covered slope and rolling over several times.

The accident was filmed and the video was posted by the Swiss newspaper Blick.

The 61-year-old woman, who came from the region, was the only passenger in the cable car, which is authorized to carry eight passengers, the police in Nidwalden said.

The police did not comment on the cause of the accident, but said an investigation has been launched.

The accident happened shortly after 11 am (1000 GMT) at an altitude of around 2,000 metres, which made access difficult for rescuers and police. A rescue helicopter from the Swiss Air-Rescue Rega was deployed.

The Titlis Xpress Engelberg-Stand lift was affected, and the accident happened shortly after the Trübsee middle station, according to the police spokesman. The cable cars transport winter sports enthusiasts to an altitude of around 2,400 metres.

Between 100 and 200 people travelling in other cable cars on the route were evacuated, the cable car company's chief executive, Norbert Patt, said.

The lift and several others were closed in the afternoon due to strong winds, according to the ski resort's website.

The MeteoSwiss weather service showed sunshine and temperatures of around 8 degrees at midday on its website for Engelberg. There was also a wind warning, with "wind peaks in exposed locations above 1,800 metres" of up to 130 kilometres per hour.

Switzerland Tourism ranks the area, on the highest mountain in Central Switzerland, the Titlis, as one of the country's most popular ski resorts.

It is considered to have guaranteed snow from October to May and offers a valley run with an altitude difference of 2,000 metres. 

Photo: Blick print screen