Lorraine Williamson
Two elderly residents have died, and four others have been injured after a lift collapsed at a care home in Vélez-Málaga, in Spain’s Málaga province. The victims, a woman aged 82 and a man aged 91, died following the accident on Wednesday evening, while four other residents remain in hospital.
The accident happened at approximately 8.40 pm on 14 October at the Séniors residential care home on Calle Alcalde Santiago Valle. Six elderly residents were travelling in the lift when it fell, leaving them trapped inside until emergency services arrived.
Andalucía’s 112 emergency service received notification from the regional medical emergency centre, 061. Firefighters from the Málaga Provincial Fire Consortium were dispatched alongside National Police, Local Police and medical teams.
All six occupants were rescued by firefighters and transferred to the Hospital de la Axarquía. An 82-year-old woman died after arriving at the hospital, followed by a 91-year-old man whose death was confirmed during the early hours of Thursday.
Four residents remain in hospital
The surviving residents are two women aged 69 and 78 and two men aged 68 and 86. They suffered injuries including fractures to their arms and legs, and the regional health authorities confirmed on Thursday morning that all four remained in intensive care.
According to the Spanish news agency EFE, one of the injured residents is in a very serious condition. Further medical updates are awaited as hospital staff continue treating the survivors.
Lift reportedly fell from second floor to basement
According to Cadena SER, the lift fell from the building’s second floor to level minus one, below ground level. The exact circumstances of the collapse have not yet been established.
Emergency crews faced the task of rescuing six elderly occupants from the damaged lift before transferring them to waiting ambulances. Medical teams were mobilised from Vélez-Málaga and surrounding areas, including Torre del Mar and Torrox.
Police investigate cause of lift collapse
The National Police have opened an investigation into the circumstances of the accident. Officers from the judicial and forensic police units are examining what caused the lift to fall and whether any technical or maintenance problems may have contributed.
Management at the Séniors residence has said that, according to its records, the lift’s maintenance was up to date. However, this has not yet been independently verified, and investigators have made no official finding about the cause of the collapse.
The residence is working with the company responsible for the lift and its own maintenance staff to establish what happened. Management has also expressed condolences to the families of those who died and is maintaining contact with relatives of the injured residents.
Residential centre has 200 places
The Séniors residence provides care for older people with varying levels of dependency and has approximately 200 places. The centre operates under an arrangement with the regional government of Andalucía.
Staff have been working to reassure residents following the accident, while management continues to cooperate with the investigation. The tragedy has also raised questions about lift safety in residential care settings, where occupants may have limited mobility and require assistance during emergencies.
The immediate focus remains on the condition of the four surviving residents and the police investigation into the cause of the collapse. Further information is expected as technical examinations continue and medical authorities provide updates.