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Family rescued from stuck elevator in Cologne!
Fire brigade rescues family from stuck elevator at KVB stop in Nippes. Technical malfunction led to deployment.
Family rescued from stuck elevator in Cologne!
An exciting operation by the Cologne fire department provides general relief: On Tuesday afternoon, a mother and her two small children got stuck in an elevator at the Neusser Str./Gürtel KVB stop. At around 1:45 p.m. a total of five people were trapped in the elevator, including a four-year-old boy and a toddler. The elevator had gotten stuck three meters above the underground platform, like that Review online reported.
The Cologne Transport Company (KVB) explained that a technical fault was the cause of the mishap. Fire brigade trainees and members of the Weidenpesch station quickly moved out to help. The team was supported by a KVB technician. They first tried to bring the elevator to platform level using an emergency control, but were unsuccessful.
Quick help from the fire department
The emergency services had to choose another route. They opened the door to the elevator shaft and climbed onto the roof of the elevator. They managed to get to those trapped via an escape hatch. The family's rescue went smoothly: the four-year-old boy climbed outside alone, while the toddler was freed using a car seat organized by the fire department. Fortunately, there were no injuries among the occupants.
However, there was a small challenge: the stroller did not fit through the opening of the emergency hatch. The skilled fire brigade team dismantled the vehicle, handed the parts up and then put it back together. Shortly afterwards the elevator was back in operation.
Technical background and security standards
These types of incidents demonstrate the importance of modern elevator safety. In 2025, many systems will rely on intelligent controls and robust mechanics like this Elvatronics explained. These systems work hand in hand, monitor processes using sensors and ensure that a cabin only moves when the doors are closed and safety is ensured.
The KVB also regularly provides information about elevator malfunctions. Anyone interested can find a list of elevators in Cologne and their current malfunctions on the KVB website. KVB reserves the right to change or adapt data, which is crucial for the security and efficiency of the system. Even in the event of power outages, the systems are generally well protected, as safety measures show.
Just that same week, another incident occurred: an elevator at Appellhofplatz got stuck due to a power outage. In this case, however, the trapped passenger was able to leave the elevator independently after a short wait.