Two people have died after a rockfall at a world-renowned climbing destination near Barcelona.
A man and woman, both 30, were rushed to the hospital in critical condition after being struck by several large stones while rock climbing in Montserrat, about 30 miles north-west of the Catalan capital.
The pair, who had spent the day climbing, were found unconscious at around 4.30pm on Saturday near a parking area following a rockfall.
The man, one of a group of seven, was revived at the scene after emergency responders discovered he had gone into cardiac arrest.
However, he died shortly after being transferred to Barcelona’s Vall d’Hebron Hospital.
The woman was taken to hospital in an air ambulance and it was confirmed she had also died late last night at the city’s Bellvitge University Hospital.
The Montserrat Mountain Trust, a public entity established in 1987 to protect the breathtaking massif, reacted with an immediate preventive closure of five climbing routes.
The trust’s manager Xavier Aparicio said the measure had been taken following an inspection by police mountain specialists, which revealed there was a high risk of a new rockfall.
He said: ‘The aim is to prevent more accidents.’
The rock climbers killed, believed to be both from Barcelona, have been identified locally so far only by their first names Marc and Laura.
The incident that resulted in the deaths of the two sports enthusiasts occurred around 4.30pm on Saturday when they were preparing to leave the area.
Following the rockfall, the pair were discovered unconscious near a parking area called Can Jorba close to El Bruc on the south side of Montserrat.
Montserrat is regarded as a dream destination for rock climbers and attracts enthusiasts from around the world.
Its vertical walls and eroded rocks offer challenges for both novice and experienced climbers.
The Monastery of Montserrat, founded in the 11th century, is one of the most emblematic places in the region.
The sanctuary has been a centre of spirituality and culture for centuries, and is home to the famous image of the Virgin of Montserrat.
