German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been forced to cancel a number of meetings and will work from home for much of the next few weeks after being injured in a cross-country skiing accident.

 Merkel’s spokesman Steffen Seibert announced today that the chancellor fell while cross-country skiing in the Engadin region of Switzerland while on vacation.

The accident comes hot on the heels of the December 29, 2013 skiing accident in the Alps which inflicted a serious head injury on Germany’s seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, who remains in a critical condition and fighting for his life.

Merkel’s injury is, however, minor in comparison. Her spokesman said after her return to Berlin, the chancellor sought medical treatment on Friday for what she thought was bad bruising, and a so-called infraction – an incomplete bone fracture- was found in her pelvis.

Seibert said Merkel had been advised to rest as much as possible over the next three weeks and not to fly.

As a result, some meetings have been canceled – including a planned visit to Poland on Wednesday and a reception for the prime minister of Luxembourg on Thursday in Berlin.

Seibert said the chancellor would, however, continue working at home, and would also head Wednesday’s cabinet meeting.

It has not been disclosed where exactly the accident happened, or the circumstances under which it occurred.

•Photo courtesy The Telegraph shows Chancellor Merkel.