Thiruvananthapuram, July 18: Congress Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor was safely rescued after becoming trapped inside a malfunctioning lift at a private hotel in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday evening. The incident occurred at Hotel Prasanth, where Tharoor had arrived to attend the installation ceremony of the Rotary Club of Trivandrum East.
According to officials from the Kerala Fire and Rescue Services, the lift stalled while travelling to the sixth floor, trapping Tharoor along with six other people, including members of his personal staff. Initial attempts by the hotel’s maintenance personnel and lift technicians to restore the elevator were unsuccessful, prompting the hotel management to seek emergency assistance.
Fire and Rescue Services personnel reached the hotel within minutes of receiving the emergency call. Using a hydraulic spreader, the rescue team carefully forced open the lift doors and safely evacuated everyone inside. The entire rescue operation was completed without any injuries, and all seven occupants were brought out safely after being trapped for around 20 to 30 minutes.
Speaking to reporters after the rescue, Tharoor expressed his appreciation for the professionalism and swift response of the Fire and Rescue Services. He said the delay inside the lift was not a major problem and praised the rescue personnel for reaching the scene quickly and carrying out the operation efficiently. Later, he personally felicitated members of the rescue team in recognition of their prompt service.
The incident briefly drew significant public attention after videos of the rescue circulated on social media. Despite the unexpected delay, Tharoor continued with his scheduled public engagement after the rescue. Authorities have not reported any injuries or medical complications resulting from the incident.
Hotel management is expected to conduct a technical inspection of the lift to determine the cause of the malfunction and ensure that all safety systems are functioning properly. The incident has also renewed discussions on the importance of regular maintenance and emergency preparedness for elevators in public buildings, particularly those hosting large public events
News as reported
