Tourists Trapped Mid-Air During Aerial Dining Experience
In a terrifying incident that unfolded on Friday, multiple tourists found themselves suspended approximately 120 feet above ground at a private sky-dining facility located in Anachal, Idukki district of Kerala. The harrowing situation developed when the crane operating the dining platform suffered a technical failure, leaving visitors stranded at dangerous heights for over ninety minutes.
Emergency Rescue Operation Launched
Local authorities immediately mobilized rescue teams to the site near the popular hill station of Munnar. According to initial reports, the mechanical fault preventing the platform from descending is believed to be related to the crane's fuse system. Fire and security personnel deployed from Munnar have been working on alternative rescue methods, including potentially lowering individuals using safety ropes while engineers attempt to repair the malfunctioning system.
New Adventure Tourism Initiative Faces Scrutiny
The crane-operated dining platform represents a relatively new adventure tourism initiative in the region, having been introduced only a few months prior to the incident. The innovative system was designed to accommodate up to 16 people simultaneously, lifting them high above the valley for approximately thirty minutes of aerial dining with panoramic views. This incident has raised serious questions about the safety protocols and mechanical reliability of such adventure tourism facilities operating in Kerala.
Rescue operations continued as emergency personnel worked to safely bring all stranded tourists and staff members back to ground level. The incident highlights the potential risks associated with adventure tourism activities and underscores the importance of rigorous safety inspections for such mechanical systems.
