A family of four spent three hours suspended 150 feet in the air after a crane malfunction at a 'sky-dining' restaurant in Kerala, India. The incident occurred on Friday at an attraction operated by Southern Skies Aerodynamics in Anachal, a hill station in Idukki district.
Mohammed Safwan, 31, his wife Thoufeena, 25, and their two children had been enjoying a midday meal when the crane's hydraulic system failed at around 1.30pm. Rescuers placed a safety net beneath the elevated platform before the family, including a two-year-old boy, climbed down ropes to safety. All diners and a restaurant worker were back on firm ground by 4.30pm.
The restaurant's management did not contact the police or fire service during the incident, though Southern Skies Aerodynamics insisted that staff were trained to handle emergencies and denied any panic. It later emerged that the restaurant was operating without the required civic licence.
The family had travelled from outside the district to enjoy the famous hillsides of Idukki. The elevated dining experience is part of a local tourism initiative aimed at offering thrill-seekers futuristic attractions.
A tourism board official confirmed that a technical inspection and safety assessment will be conducted shortly. Local authorities pledged to tighten safety regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
