35 minutes of horror: 13 trapped in Bareilly mall lift after power failure, teenager faints
PTC Web Desk: Thirteen persons, including women and children, were rescued after being trapped inside a lift at a shopping mall in Bareilly for nearly 35 minutes following a power outage late Sunday evening. A teenage girl reportedly lost consciousness during the incident due to panic and suffocation-like conditions inside the stalled elevator.
The incident occurred at City Centre LA Mall in the Civil Lines area around 10 pm when the lift suddenly stopped functioning between floors after electricity supply was disrupted. According to officials, 13 persons, including four women and three children, were inside the elevator when it became stuck.
Initially, those trapped expected the lift to resume operation. However, as time passed and the confined space became increasingly uncomfortable due to heat and humidity, panic began to spread among the occupants. Efforts were reportedly made to contact mall security using the emergency contact number displayed inside the lift, but no immediate response was received.
During the ordeal, 17-year-old Shalini, a resident of Biharipur, fainted. In a bid to escape, some occupants attempted to force open the lift door, while people outside the elevator and mall staff joined efforts to free those trapped.
After more than half an hour, the lift door was eventually opened and all passengers were brought out safely. The unconscious teenager was immediately attended to and later recovered, officials said.
Senior Superintendent of Police (City) Manush Pareek stated that police personnel reached the location and recorded statements from those involved. Authorities have asked affected individuals to submit a formal complaint if they wish to pursue further action.
Circle Officer Ashutosh Shivam said the police received information about the lift malfunction and dispatched a team to the mall. By the time officers arrived, however, the rescue operation had already been completed.
According to the police, the mall management informed them that the generator system was being activated following the power outage when someone inside the lift allegedly kicked the door, resulting in a sensor malfunction. The matter is being examined and further action will depend on the findings and any complaints received.
- With inputs from agencies
