In a shocking accident at the upscale Ayuterra Resort in Bali, five housekeeping staff members met a tragic end after an elevator malfunctioned. The elevator’s cable snapped unexpectedly, causing it to drop about 300 feet into a ravine.
The ill-fated workers, all Indonesians aged between 19 and 24, were in the elevator at 1 pm when disaster struck. The immediate aftermath saw two of them pronounced dead at the scene, while the other three, unfortunately, passed away in the hospital due to the severity of their injuries.
Ubud’s Police Commissioner, Made Uder, revealed in his statement that the elevator’s steel swing rope was unable to support the load. Additionally, a malfunctioning safety brake aggravated the situation, resulting in the elevator’s uncontrollable free fall.
A startling revelation came from Bali’s Deputy Governor, Cok Ace, who also presides over the Hotel and Restaurant Association Bali. Despite a safety clearance given just eight months prior, this fatal accident occurred, raising serious questions about the oversight.
The Ayuterra Resort’s outdoor elevator was not just functional but was also popular on Instagram. It facilitated movement for guests and staff between the resort’s upper levels and the amenities close to the ravine.
In light of these tragic events, Linggawati Utomo, the 60-year-old owner of Ayuterra Resort, has generously committed to covering the funeral costs for the deceased. As a goodwill gesture, he also provided a sum of $4,000 to each of the bereaved families, presumably to dissuade any legal repercussions.
The primary investigation is being spearheaded by Bali police. Their focus remains on uncovering the root cause of this mishap and probing why backup safety measures failed to avert the tragedy.