Six individuals, including a seven-year-old child, were rescued after being trapped for approximately 45 minutes inside a malfunctioning lift in a commercial complex in Surat’s Vesu area on Thursday evening. This incident raised significant concerns regarding the maintenance and safety standards of elevators in the city. The event took place at the Gallopin Complex located on Canal Road.

The lift became stuck while descending to the minus-three basement level, leaving its six occupants in a state of distress. As the lift suffered a technical failure, the surrounding area plunged into darkness, and ventilation systems ceased to operate, exacerbating the panic among those inside.

The passengers trapped in the lift were identified as seven-year-old Mevant Chavda, 34-year-old Riddhima Chavda, 26-year-olds Divyang Saroliya and Nandani Sharma, 38-year-old Neeta Patel, and 43-year-old Kalpesh Patel. Officials indicated that the incident occurred at around 6:30 pm, when the lift halted unexpectedly.

Conditions Inside the Lift

As the situation evolved, the occupants faced deteriorating conditions due to the rising temperature and humidity inside the confined space. The child reportedly became frightened and began to cry, which heightened the anxiety amongst the passengers. Unable to reach family, security personnel, or emergency services due to disrupted mobile phone networks in the basement area, the occupants found themselves in a dire predicament.

Additionally, claims have emerged suggesting that the emergency alarm within the lift was not functioning, further complicating the trapped individuals’ ability to signal for assistance. In a bid to draw attention to their plight, they began banging on the lift doors and shouting for help.

Civilians in the vicinity heard their calls and promptly contacted the Surat Fire Brigade, which arrived at the scene within a short time frame. A team from the Vesu Fire Station, led by Sub Fire Officer Kishore Patel, was dispatched with specialised rescue equipment to carry out the operation.

Rescue Operation Details

Arriving at the complex, the firefighters encountered a significant challenge: the lift doors had become hydraulically locked, making traditional opening methods ineffective. Recognising the urgency of the situation, given the deteriorating condition of the occupants who were suffering from a lack of fresh air, the rescue team decided to employ heavy-duty cutters and spreaders.

After nearly 15 minutes of intensive effort, the firefighters successfully breached the lift and managed to extract all six individuals safely. The rescue operation prioritised the retrieval of the child, followed by the other passengers, ensuring their immediate safety.

Once rescued, the individuals were provided with water and initial medical attention, as they had started to show symptoms of discomfort and breathlessness. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported. However, the incident has reignited discussions surrounding the need for stringent lift maintenance protocols and compliance with safety regulations in Surat’s commercial establishments.

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