1.   Earlier, French authorities said the cable apparently had ruptured after the car had completed about one quarter of the ascent.

2.   Initially, French authorities had said the cable apparently had ruptured after the car had completed about one quarter of the ascent to the Pic de Bure space observatory.

3.   The cable apparently had ruptured after the car had completed about one quarter of the ascent, authorities said.

4.   The cable apparently had ruptured at a point near the top of the lift, authorities said.