Berlin, Jan 6 (IANS): German Chancellor Angela Merkel fractured a bone in her pelvis in a cross-country skiing accident in Switzerland, her spokesperson revealed Monday about the incident which occurred during the Christmas holiday in December.

She was skiing near the resort of St. Moritz.

Merkel will have to remain lying down as much as possible in the next three weeks and several visits will be cancelled, reported BBC quoting spokesperson Steffen Seibert.

She also suffered severe bruising in the accident, which occurred in the Alpine Engadine region of eastern Switzerland.

Merkel was not skiing fast at the time, her spokesperson said, terming the injury "severe bruising linked with a partial fracture on the left, rear part of the pelvis".

Immediately after the accident, Merkel was not aware that part of her pelvis had been fractured, the spokesperson said without giving details about how the accident actually happened.

The official said Merkel still intends to chair a cabinet meeting Wednesday - the first gathering of all her coalition ministers. She is now walking with the aid of crutches. But she will mostly be working from home.