Six people trapped in Berlin lift during heatwave

Six people, including two children and a wheelchair user, were trapped in a lift at an S-Bahn station in Berlin. The rescue operation proved difficult due to the situation and the intense heat.

A malfunctioning lift at the Westend S-Bahn station in Charlottenburg, Berlin, triggered an extensive rescue effort on Wednesday afternoon, September 4. According to a statement from the Berlin Fire Department, six individuals, including two children and a wheelchair user, were trapped in the lift.

The emergency call was received at 3:14 p.m., and rescue teams were dispatched to the scene. However, freeing the trapped individuals proved to be challenging. It took about an hour for the first four people—two children and two adults—to be rescued. The situation became even more complex for the wheelchair user, who remained in the lift with their companion. The head of the operation explained that the lift had to be “extensively dismantled” to complete the rescue. The wheelchair user and their companion were finally freed approximately 90 minutes after the initial emergency call.

Heat adds to the challenge

Temperatures of up to 34°C (93°F) in Berlin on Thursday afternoon added to the difficulty of the rescue. The trapped individuals were provided with drinks during the operation, according to the fire department spokesperson. While the exact temperature inside the lift was not known, the spokesperson explained that they always assume the risk of harm to individuals trapped in lifts, regardless of the weather. Two ambulances were on-site to provide medical assistance during and after the rescue, but fortunately, none of the individuals required hospitalization.

The S-Bahn service at Westend was not disrupted during the rescue. However, the police cordoned off the area around the lift for safety reasons.