Six people, including a seven-year-old child, were rescued after being trapped for nearly 45 minutes inside a malfunctioning lift in a commercial complex in Surat’s upscale Vesu area on Thursday evening, exposing serious concerns over elevator maintenance and safety standards in the city.
The incident occurred at the Gallopin Complex on Canal Road when a lift carrying six occupants suddenly got stuck while descending to the minus-three basement level. The passengers, including the child, found themselves trapped in complete darkness after the lift suffered a technical failure, causing its ventilation and fan systems to shut down.
Those trapped inside were identified as seven-year-old Mevant Chavda, Riddhima Chavda (34), Divyang Saroliya (26), Nandani Sharma (26), Neeta Patel (38), and Kalpesh Patel (43).
According to officials, the lift came to an abrupt halt with a violent jolt at around 6:30 pm. The situation quickly turned distressing as mobile phone networks were unavailable in the basement area, leaving the occupants unable to contact family members, security personnel or emergency services. Allegations have also surfaced that the emergency alarm bell inside the lift was non-functional.
As the minutes passed, the trapped passengers struggled with rising heat, humidity and poor ventilation. The child reportedly became frightened and began crying, adding to the panic among those inside. With no way to call for help, the occupants eventually began banging on the lift doors and shouting for assistance.
Their cries were heard by passers-by and other citizens in the complex, who immediately alerted the Surat Fire Brigade. Responding within minutes, a team from the Vesu Fire Station led by Sub Fire Officer Kishore Patel rushed to the scene with specialised rescue equipment.
Firefighters discovered that the lift door had become hydraulically locked, making it impossible to open through conventional methods. With the condition of the trapped occupants deteriorating due to lack of fresh air, the rescue team used heavy-duty cutters and spreaders to force open the metal doors.
After nearly 15 minutes of intensive rescue efforts, firefighters successfully breached the lift and brought all six occupants out safely. The child was rescued first, followed by the other passengers.
The rescued individuals were provided water and first aid after showing signs of discomfort and breathlessness. While no serious injuries were reported, the incident has once again raised questions about lift maintenance and safety compliance in Surat’s high-rise buildings and commercial complexes.
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With input from Sanjay Singh J Rathor
