Power Outage Traps Five Lawyers in Vijayawada Court Lift for Nearly an Hour

What began as a routine workday at the court complex in Vijayawada quickly escalated into a tense situation when five lawyers found themselves trapped inside a stalled elevator , suspended between floors for nearly an hour . The unexpected incident drew attention not only for the anxiety it caused but also for the larger questions it raised about safety standards in public buildings.

The trouble began during scheduled electrical work at a nearby transformer , which led to a sudden power outage . In that instant, the lift carrying the lawyers came to a halt between the seventh and eighth floors, leaving them stranded without immediate means of escape. Despite the presence of a ventilation system inside the elevator, its effectiveness was limited as the cabin had stopped mid-level, making it difficult to access emergency controls.

As word spread, police teams and electricity department personnel rushed to the scene and coordinated rescue operations . Understanding the risks of prolonged confinement, officials kept oxygen cylinders ready as a precaution. In a critical move, responders managed to open part of the lift panel, allowing fresh air to circulate inside and helping ease the discomfort of those trapped.

Officials from the Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution Corporation Limited later clarified that the outage was caused by fuse installation work at the transformer, a process that took close to an hour to complete. Once power was restored, the lift resumed operation and the lawyers were brought out safely, with no injuries reported.

Though the situation ended without physical harm, it left behind a strong sense of concern among the legal community. Many lawyers pointed out that such incidents underline the urgent need for better maintenance , reliable backup systems , and clear emergency response protocols in frequently used government facilities.