A tense situation unfolded at the Vijayawada civil court complex on Thursday when a lift malfunction left five lawyers trapped between the seventh and eighth floors for nearly two hours. The incident occurred following a sudden power failure, which caused the lift to come to a halt. Even after electricity was restored, the lift failed to resume operation, raising serious safety concerns.
Pregnant Lawyer Among Those Trapped
Among those trapped was a seven-month pregnant woman lawyer, who reportedly experienced severe discomfort due to lack of ventilation inside the confined space. The situation created panic as the occupants struggled with breathing difficulties while awaiting rescue. Police and fire service personnel rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. Fire brigade teams worked tirelessly for nearly two hours to safely evacuate all five individuals. Oxygen support was also arranged during the operation to ease their distress. Fortunately, all those trapped were rescued without any injuries, bringing relief to colleagues and court staff.
Lawyers Allege Negligence
The incident triggered strong reactions from the legal community. Lawyers alleged that several lifts in the court complex have been non-functional for over a week, but authorities failed to address the issue. With only two out of four lifts operational, many advocates have been forced to depend on limited facilities, increasing the risk of such mishaps. The incident has raised questions about the maintenance of essential infrastructure in government buildings and the need for regular safety checks.
This event follows a pattern of infrastructure failures in public facilities, highlighting the urgent need for proactive measures to ensure the safety of occupants. The legal community has demanded immediate action to repair all lifts and implement emergency protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
