The fatal accident occurred Dec. 21 at the Savin Kuk ski resort near Žabljak when two double chairlifts collided and a 34-year-old German man fell about 230 feet to his death. His 30-year-old wife, who was in the same chair, was seriously injured and hospitalized with a fractured femur and a head injury. Rescue teams evacuated other tourists who were stranded for hours, and local officials have called for a full and transparent investigation into the cause of the crash.
German Tourist Dies After 230-Foot Fall in Chairlift Collision at Montenegro Ski Resort; Wife Seriously Injured
Shutterstock / Golubov.IvanaSavin Kuk ski resort
A 34-year-old German tourist died after falling roughly 230 feet from a chairlift at the Savin Kuk ski area near Žabljak in Montenegro's Durmitor Mountains on Sunday, Dec. 21, according to multiple local and German media reports.
Authorities say two double chairlifts struck one another, and the impact caused the chair carrying the couple to be hit from behind. The collision sent the 34-year-old man plummeting to his death, while his 30-year-old wife — who was in the same chair — was trapped and later taken to hospital with a fractured femur and a head injury.
Local outlets reporting on the incident include the German newspaper Die Frankfurter Rundschau and Montenegrin publications Vijesti and Pobjeda. People also covered the story, citing those reports.
Shutterstock / Omnivore LtdSavin Kuk ski resort
Rescue and Aftermath
Following the crash, lift operations at Savin Kuk were suspended while authorities opened a preliminary investigation. At least three other visitors remained stranded on the lift for several hours before rescue teams evacuated everyone, working in challenging weather conditions, the reports said.
Investigation Under Way
The exact cause of the collision remains under investigation. Initial accounts indicate that one chair slipped and struck the chair in front of it, but officials have not released a definitive explanation and the victims have not been publicly identified.
"We insist on a comprehensive and transparent investigation to determine who is responsible," said Rados Zugic, the mayor of Žabljak, according to Die Frankfurter Rundschau.
Local rescue services and resort officials are cooperating with investigators. The incident has raised immediate questions about chairlift safety protocols and emergency procedures at the Savin Kuk resort; authorities say they will continue to collect evidence, interview witnesses and review operational records.
This remains a developing story. Officials have not yet released further details about the investigation timeline or potential regulatory actions.
