In a shocking incident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar, six tourists were injured after a hotel lift reportedly collapsed on Friday, raising fresh concerns over safety standards in hospitality establishments.
The incident took place in the Hyderpora area of the city, where the tourists, visiting from Bengaluru, were staying at a private hotel. According to officials, the lift malfunctioned and suddenly gave way while carrying all six occupants, leading to injuries.
Emergency services responded swiftly after the mishap. The injured tourists were immediately evacuated from the site and rushed to the Bone and Joint Hospital in Barzulla for treatment. Doctors attending to them said that most of the injuries were to the legs and lower body. Fortunately, all six individuals are reported to be in stable condition and are under medical observation.
The victims have been identified as Venkatesh (65), D. Mangula (54), Kushalla (18), Pankaja (16), Venkatalakshmamma (60), and Sowbhagya (60), all residents of Bengaluru who were part of a tourist group visiting the Kashmir Valley.
Preliminary reports suggest that the lift may have suffered a technical malfunction, though the exact cause of the collapse is yet to be determined. Authorities have initiated an inquiry to ascertain whether there was any negligence on the part of the hotel management or if maintenance lapses contributed to the incident.
The accident has triggered concerns about the safety of infrastructure in hotels, especially in tourist-heavy regions like Srinagar, where visitor numbers have been steadily increasing. Experts stress the need for regular inspection and strict adherence to safety protocols to prevent such mishaps.
Meanwhile, officials have assured that all necessary assistance is being provided to the injured tourists. Local authorities are also closely monitoring the situation as investigations continue.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of stringent safety checks in public facilities, particularly in areas that depend heavily on tourism for economic activity.