An elevator carrying a 12-year-old boy plummeted during a routine trip in Chelyabinsk, with the Chelyabinsk Region Prosecutor’s Office reporting that the child came through unharmed. The ascent was toward the 13th floor when the car suddenly fell to the seventh floor, and the shaft doors opened as the elevator came to a stop. Local investigators have begun a careful inquiry to determine the cause and prevent a similar incident in the future, while evaluating the safety measures in place in the building.
The prosecutor’s office said it has launched a thorough review of the building’s management company and other responsible parties to assess compliance with housing legislation and safety requirements. The inquiry will examine maintenance records, safety certifications, and how routine inspections were conducted to establish accountability and ensure residents are protected from unsafe operation.
Svetlana Razvorotneva, deputy chair of the State Duma Committee on Construction, Housing and Utilities, indicated that around 130 thousand elevators could be taken out of service across Russia by 2025. She explained that the original goal was to replace about 130 thousand lifts by that year, but a lack of sufficient funding forced a postponement of the deadline to 2030. She also warned that some elevators nearing the end of their service life may not be repairable if they fail the necessary safety criteria.
Earlier reports described a separate incident in the Leningrad region where a worker fell from the 12th floor into an elevator shaft but survived, a stark reminder of the risks associated with aging elevator systems and the importance of stringent maintenance practices.
The events in Chelyabinsk come amid broader discussions about elevator safety in multi-story housing. Officials emphasize the need for regular inspections, robust maintenance schedules, and transparent accountability for building managers to reduce the likelihood of malfunctions. Residents are encouraged to report any elevator concerns promptly to authorities and property managers.
Experts note that replacing thousands of aging elevators is a complex and costly process requiring coordinated funding, timely procurement, and strict adherence to safety standards. While the end goal is safer, more reliable transport within high-rise buildings, communities must balance immediate safety needs with long-term financial planning to avoid service gaps.
In the Chelyabinsk case, investigators will continue to scrutinize the circumstances surrounding the crash, including whether maintenance logs and inspections were properly followed and whether the elevator’s safety features functioned as required before the incident. The ongoing investigation aims to strengthen oversight and prevent future emergencies in the housing sector.