Himachal Pradesh News
13 Rescued After Being Trapped for 8 Hours in Overloaded Lift at Una Private Hospital During Medical Camp
A major accident was narrowly avoided on Tuesday after 13 people became trapped inside an overloaded lift at a private hospital in Una district. Thanks to an extensive eight-hour rescue operation carried out by the police, Fire Department and technical experts, all occupants were rescued safely without any loss of life.
A major accident was narrowly avoided on Tuesday after 13 people became trapped inside an overloaded lift at a private hospital in Una district. Thanks to an extensive eight-hour rescue operation carried out by the police, Fire Department and technical experts, all occupants were rescued safely without any loss of life.
The incident took place at Alvis Hospital in Behdala village, where a medical camp was underway. According to officials, the lift was designed to accommodate only six passengers, but 13 people entered it at the same time. Moments after the lift began moving, it suffered a mechanical failure and stopped midway between two floors, trapping everyone inside.
Rescue teams rushed to the hospital immediately after receiving the information. Although the lift doors were opened from outside, the cabin remained suspended between the floors, making the rescue operation highly challenging. Emergency responders carefully evacuated the trapped occupants one by one through narrow openings.
The operation continued for nearly eight hours as officials worked to ensure the safety of those trapped inside. The final three occupants, including 80-year-old Jagat Ram from Dehlan village, Una businessman Rakesh Kailash and a newly elected village Pradhan, were rescued around 6 pm after technicians from the company that installed the lift arrived at the scene.
Una Tehsildar Vippan Kumar, who supervised the rescue efforts, confirmed that all 13 people were brought out safely. He said the lift company’s technical team played a crucial role in stabilising the stalled lift and helping rescue the last three individuals.
The incident has once again highlighted the importance of following lift capacity limits and maintaining safety standards, especially in hospitals and other public buildings where heavy footfall is common.
