At least six dead after lift cable snaps sending car plummeting 40 floors at tower under construction in India
At least six people have died after an elevator in a high-rise building in India fell 40 floors.
A group of workers were carrying out waterproofing work on a terrace when the elevator fell to the ground in Thane, India.
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Another three people were injured in the fatal fall.
One of them, who was in critical condition, was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention but succumbed to his injuries.
The fire brigade rushed to the building in Thane’s Balkum area around 6pm on Sunday, where they pulled out the workers from the crashed elevator.
It is believed that the tragedy occurred after one of the elevator’s support cables broke. India today reported.
Neighbors reportedly heard a loud bang before the accident.
“I was in Building 7 when I heard a loud crash, as if a low-intensity bomb had exploded,” said a resident.
“I later learned that workers had died when the freight elevator crashed.”
A statement from Dhruva Woolen Mills Pvt Ltd said the elevator “has been under constant monitoring and is being serviced under an existing annual maintenance contract.”
“The last maintenance was carried out on August 23rd. The report states that the lift is in good condition.”
But former Thame Municipal Corporation, Sanjay Bhoir, told local media: “
“I learned that the elevator was repaired two days ago and a fake certificate of its fitness was issued.”
Bhoir further claimed that neither police nor firefighters had reached the spot for a long time, reports the Times of India.
While Yasin Tadvi, head of the Thane Municipal Corporation’s regional disaster management cell, said the elevator fell from the 40th floor, a spokesman for the construction company said it came down from the 13th floor.
The deceased have been identified as Mahendra Choupal (32), Rupesh Kumar Das (21), Mithilesh (35), Karidas (38) and Harun Shaikh (47).
Shaikh was identified as an elevator operator.
The identity of one of the deceased has yet to be confirmed.
One of the injured was identified as 21-year-old Sunil Kumar Das.
Cops from Kapurbawdi police station also rushed to the spot.
Inspector S. Nimbalkar confirmed that the initial investigation had been completed and an accident report had been filed.
“We have informed their families, who are currently on the way to the site,” he said.
“Preliminary investigations have uncovered a serious case of negligence when the elevator tragically fell from the 40th floor, killing people.
“Those found responsible for this horrific incident will be held accountable under the law.”
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