PHUKET, THAILAND – A holiday in Kata turned into a nightmare when a hotel elevator reportedly plunged and injured six Russian guests.
Lift plunge at Kata hotel
The incident occurred at about 3:20 p.m. at the Tuana Hotels Casa Del Sol on busy Kata Rd, when the group attempted to travel from the ground floor to the fifth floor. The elevator moved only briefly upwards before the system appeared to lose control and the cabin dropped. It came to a sudden stop around 30 centimetres below the normal floor level, leaving the occupants trapped in fear for several minutes.
Multi-generational tour group injured
Karon police identified the six injured as Russian nationals travelling together across several generations: Olesia Lukanova (44), Vladimir Butylkin (43), Vera Lukanova (16), eight-year-old Liubov Butylkin, and the couple Mikhail and Vera Medvedko (both 46). Their holiday was shattered by the shock of the fall, which they were unlikely to forget soon. All six were transported to Dibuk Hospital for medical care and observation.
Emergency response and medical condition
Emergency services were dispatched in force after a call reached the Narenthra operations centre at 2:25 p.m. The rescue team from the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation and an ambulance from Chalong rushed to the scene. One man reported pain on his left side, another complained of back pain, the women suffered swollen ankles and feet, and the eight-year-old girl also had back pain but was able to walk to the ambulance on her own.
Police investigation under way
Initial inquiries found no property damage and no immediate suspects, and investigators were still trying to determine the cause of the fall. Karon police chief Pol Col Pathapi Srichai personally visited the site, while the case was assigned to Pol Lt Surachach Saenchon.
“We will examine the elevator system in detail,”
said Pol Lt Surachach Saenchon, investigator.
“If safety violations are identified, legal consequences will follow.”
said Pol Lt Surachach Saenchon, investigator.
Hotel shuts elevator and awaits technician
Management at Tuana Hotels Casa Del Sol expressed concern over the incident and confirmed that the elevator would remain closed for now.
“It must be repaired and thoroughly inspected,”
said hotel management. A technician was expected to arrive later the same day, but there was no further official statement from the hotel at that stage.
“We apologise for the inconvenience,”
said hotel management.
Tourist safety questions in Phuket
The case renewed scrutiny of safety in Thailand’s major tourist hubs, where elevator problems have been reported repeatedly. In many older buildings, regular maintenance was said to be lacking, creating a potentially deadly risk for holidaymakers. Authorities were now under pressure to act swiftly with thorough inspections and stricter safety requirements.
Non-life-threatening injuries but lasting shock
Doctors at Dibuk Hospital were treating and monitoring the six visitors, whose injuries were reportedly not life-threatening. They were expected to be discharged after outpatient care, depending on their recovery. Despite the relatively mild physical injuries, the emotional impact of the sudden drop meant the family was unlikely to forget their stay in Phuket any time soon.