A dramatic incident unfolded at the Sky Dining adventure tourism setup in Anachal near Munnar, Idukki on Saturday, after a technical failure left tourists suspended in the air for more than one and a half hours.
The visitors were dining at a height of around 120 feet, when the crane responsible for lowering the platform reportedly encountered a technical malfunction, trapping both tourists and staff mid-air. Authorities confirmed that five people — a family of four from Kannur along with a Sky Dining employee — are stuck on the platform. However, several locals claim that the number of people stranded may be higher than what has been officially stated.
Sky Dining, which allows guests to enjoy their meals while being hoisted into the air to experience panoramic views, was launched recently as part of adventure tourism initiatives in the region. The platform has a seating capacity of up to 15 people and typically remains elevated for over 30 minutes during each session.
Rescue Operations Underway
Officials say steps are being taken to bring the platform down safely and deny any immediate risk of an accident. They stated that safety features such as ropes, harnesses and seat belts are in place, offering protection to those onboard.
Fire and Rescue teams from Adimali and Munnar have rushed to the venue after reports surfaced of tourists being stranded for over 90 minutes. Authorities are attempting to lower the platform manually using ropes while efforts continue to rectify the crane malfunction.
As of the latest update, the tourists and staff remain suspended mid-air while rescue efforts are in progress.
