Thiruvananthapuram: The VIP lift in the Legislative Assembly complex collapsed and three ministers, who were inside the lift when the incident occurred, escaped unhurt here on Friday morning.
Industries Minister P.K Kunjalikutty, PWD Minister V.K. Ibrahim Kunj and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob were proceeding from the first level, where the House is located, to their offices in the second floor.
Sources said the incident occurred around 8.40 a.m. after the House adjourned for the day after condoling the death of eminent jurist V.R. Krishna Iyer.
Minister Anoop Jacob said the rope of the VIP lift broke and landed on the second cellar of the complex without stopping on the ground floor where the elevator was to stop.
"We got into the lift from the first floor. Though we were supposed to get down at the ground floor, the lift fell down steeply, generating jerk and sound," he said.
"Though it was for a few seconds, it was really an anxious moment for all of us. Only when the lift was opened, did we realise that we had reached the cellar of the complex.
Though none of us had any injuries, we suffered body pain due to the jerk when the lift fell down," he said.
Chief Whip in the Assembly P.C George said that a probe should be conducted into the episode.
"It's rather a sorry state of affairs that such a thing has happened. Those responsible for upkeep and maintenance should give an answer on why this has happened," said opposition legislator A.M. Arif.
(Inputs from IANS/PTI)