The investigation unfolded after a hotel manager in Ibi faced a troubling incident involving a guest who fell through an elevator shaft. The Public Ministry alleges negligence in handling the elevator door, arguing that improper manipulation allowed the door to open on an incorrect floor, leaving the victim exposed to the shaft. The case contemplates a possible fine and compensation to the injured party as part of the courtroom proceedings scheduled for Alicante this summer.
Authorities uncover a body in the elevator shaft
The timeline traces to the morning of November 10, 2020, at 08:05, on a street in the region where the organization operates. A guest, aged 72, had been staying in a fifth-floor room and headed to the elevator. The doors opened on his floor, and he stepped into what he believed was the car’s entry, only to fall into the void. He was found on the ground floor near the elevator car. Though he survived the fall, investigators launched a formal inquiry to determine the chain of events that led to the accident.
Preliminary studies indicate clear signs of neglect. The elevator door had been tampered with, so the entrance could be accessed even when the car was on a different floor instead of remaining securely closed. Forensic analysis also identified that the fault lay with the workplace supervisor, who approved or overlooked the defective door mechanism. The indictment available to the press does not determine whether the door’s release was caused by direct manipulation by the accused or by another party.
The 72-year-old victim suffered multiple injuries from the fall, including fractures of the left ninth to twelfth ribs, an associated intrapleural hematoma, fractures of the left transverse processes, compression of the upper vertebral plate, a wound to the left parietal region, and a sprain of the medial collateral ligament of the right knee. He required initial medical care followed by orthopedic treatment estimated to span 90 to 180 days, according to the Public Ministry in the indictment.
The elevator shaft collapse and the ensuing charges
The prosecutor’s office accuses the establishment’s person in charge of injurious carelessness and seeks a verdict that includes a twelve-month fine calculated at six euros per day, along with disqualification from hotel management for two years and the payment of procedural costs. The prosecution also requests compensation for the victim’s physical damages amounting to 10,734 euros. A criminal court in Alicante is expected to schedule a hearing to determine the next steps, including whether the parties will meet for an oral examination before trial to assess the suitability of proceeding.
In this case, the central questions revolve around fault, foreseeability, and the responsibility of the establishment in maintaining safe premises. The court will weigh whether the injury could have been prevented through standard safety practices and who bore the ultimate obligation to ensure the elevator doors remained secure. The outcome will set a notable precedent for how similar incidents are addressed in the hospitality industry and building maintenance sectors. [Citation: Public Ministry]