Bali elevator crash: Five killed at popular resort

Five young hotel workers have died after a steel lift cable snapped at a Bali resort and plunged them 100 metres down a steep embankment. 

The two men and three women were working in the housekeeping department at Ayuterra Resort in the Ubud district when they got into the glass-walled lift, which runs on a track up a 35-degree slope, about 1pm on Friday. 

The workers are identified as 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 staff died at the scene while the remaining three were alive and transported to hospital but sadly died shortly after. 

A cook at the hotel, Ketut Suwiarta, told local media he heard screams shortly after the group entered the lift and then crashing sounds.

He rushed outside to help the victims and alerted authorities. 

Five hotel works have tragically died after a steel lift cable snapped at a Bali resort 

The glass-walled lift runs on a track up a steep embankment between the resorts ground level facilities and accommodation up on the ridge

The elevator runs on a track and transports both tourists and workers between the upper sections of the hotel high up on the ridge and the resort facilities at ground level.

It is understood the elevator was a popular Instagram attraction at the resort, offering views over the surrounding landscape.

Police are investigating why the cable broke, whether adequate safety maintenance had been done, and why there were no backup measures in case the cable broke.

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The families met with Bali’s deputy governor, Cok Ace, over the weekend as Balinese Hindu ceremonies were held to cleanse the site and the victims well.

‘I was at the resort earlier; the Bali Police were there, the police chief too, as well as several witnesses who knew of the incident.’ he told reporters.

‘Earlier, when I was being interviewed there, I saw for myself the scene where the rope had broken.’

All guests at the resort have been relocated to other accommodation while the investigation is underway.

Police are investigating why the cable snapped and authorities said it was a wake up call to hotels and businesses on the island (pictured paramedics at the scene) 

A photo of the elevator before the tragic accident

Resort owner Linggawati Utomo expressed her sympathies to the victims’ families.

‘All costs for funeral rites and burial will be borne by us. We will also give the families some compensation,’ she said.

Ubud Police Chief, Police Commissioner Made Uder said on Monday the tragedy would serve as a wake up call to all hotels and businesses on the holiday island. 

‘The steel swing rope was not strong enough to pull the weight upwards, which was quite heavy, and the safety wedge or brake did not function, so the elevator slid downwards at high speed so this accident could not be avoided,’ he said.

The lift was reportedly inspected by an independent consultant as recently as November 2022 who said it was in operating condition.

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