Elevator accident in Bali: Five dead in a popular holiday resort

Five young hotel workers have died after a steel cable elevator snapped and they fell 100 meters down a steep embankment at a resort in Bali.

The two men and three women were working in the cleaning department at Ayuterra Resort in Ubud district when they boarded the glass-walled elevator, which travels on a track up a 35-degree slope, around 1pm on Friday.

The workers are Ni Luh Superningsih (20), Kadek Hardiyanti (24), Kadek Yanti Pradewi (19), Sang Putu Bayu Adi Krisna (19) and Wayan Aries Setiawan (23).

Two of the employees died at the scene of the accident, the other three were still alive and were taken to the hospital, but unfortunately died shortly afterwards.

A chef at the hotel, Ketut Suwiarta, told local media he heard screams just after the group entered the elevator and then cracking noises.

He rushed outside to help the victims and alerted the authorities.

Five hotel businesses have tragically died after a steel cable elevator snapped at a resort in Bali

The glass elevator rides a track up a steep slope between the resort’s ground-level facilities and the accommodations at the top of the ridge

The elevator runs on a rail and transports both tourists and workers between the upper parts of the hotel high on the ridge and the resort facilities on the ground floor.

The elevator is believed to have been a popular Instagram attraction at the resort, offering a view of the surrounding countryside.

Police are investigating why the cable broke, whether adequate safety measures were taken and why no safety measures were taken in the event of a cable break.

The families met with Bali Deputy Governor Cok Ace over the weekend while Balinese Hindu ceremonies were held to cleanse the site and wish the victims well.

“I was at the resort earlier; “The Bali police were there, as was the police chief, as well as several witnesses who knew about the incident,” he has told reporters.

“Earlier when I was interviewed there, I saw the scene where the rope broke for myself.”

All of the resort’s guests have been relocated to other accommodations pending the investigation.

Police are investigating why the cable snapped and authorities said it was a wake-up call for hotels and businesses on the island (pictured: paramedics on site).

A photo of the elevator before the tragic accident

Resort owner Linggawati Utomo expressed her condolences to the families of the victims.

“All costs related to funeral rituals and burial will be borne by us.” “We will also provide compensation to the families,” she said.

Ubud Police Chief Police Commissioner Made Uder said Monday the tragedy will serve as a wake-up call for all hotels and businesses on the resort island.

“The swing’s steel cable wasn’t strong enough to pull the rather heavy weight up, and the safety wedge or brake didn’t work, so the elevator slid down at high speed, so this accident couldn’t be avoided,” he said .

The elevator was reportedly inspected as recently as November 2022 by an independent consultant who said it was operational.

The resort, which also features a swimming pool with a view, is a popular tourist destination