Sky Dining Attraction in Kerala Breaks Down, Stranding Guests

A unique dining experience in Kerala, India, experienced a significant malfunction over the weekend, leaving guests and staff stuck roughly 120 feet in the air.

This crane-operated setup allows diners to be lifted onto a suspended platform for a panoramic meal, and it had only recently opened to the public. However, around 12:45 p.m., the system froze while the guests were enjoying the standard 30-minute experience.

Officials reported that a failure in the hydraulic system left everyone trapped, unable to descend. Firefighters responded swiftly, using ropes to reach the platform, securing harnesses for each person to facilitate a safe rescue.

Videos taken at the incident showcased the firefighters carefully maneuvering to help the stranded individuals. The rescue operation lasted close to four hours due to a delay in the distress call.

The group trapped included two adults, two children, and an employee, all of whom were enjoying their meal when the crane ceased operation.

Officials stated that a technical defect, potentially related to an electrical fuse, caused the hydraulic system’s failure.

Local fire brigades, police, and home security personnel collaborated to bring everyone back to safety. In total, it took about 30 minutes for rescue teams to evacuate everyone efficiently once they arrived on the scene.

Fortunately, there were no reported injuries in this incident, which raises questions about future safety compliance for the attraction. Interestingly, crane-lifted dining experiences are currently not covered under the state’s adventure tourism regulations.