November 6, 2024
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — Eighteen nursing students from Cebu Technological University (CTU) Main Campus were safely rescued after being trapped in a malfunctioning elevator on Monday evening, November 4. The incident occurred shortly after the students completed their exams at the university's Science and Technology (ST) building.
The group had been eager to leave the building when they entered the elevator on the 5th floor, heading toward the ground floor. However, upon reaching their destination, the elevator door malfunctioned and failed to open, trapping the students inside. The elevator, which has a maximum capacity of 10 persons, was overcrowded at the time, leading authorities to believe that this may have caused the malfunction.
The students, who were at risk of suffocation due to the lack of ventilation inside the elevator, quickly became anxious and began to panic. Senior Fire Officer 3 (SFO3) Wendell Villanueva of the Cebu City Fire Station explained that the fire department responded immediately, prioritizing the rescue to avoid any potential danger to the students' health.
Firefighters from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), alongside the university's Quick Response Team, arrived at the scene at around 7:30 p.m. on Monday. SFO1 Jeric Alburo, who led the rescue efforts, instructed his team to use various tools—including a crowbar and a metal bar—to pry open the elevator doors. A separate team, led by Fire Officer 2 (FO2) Mari Carmeli Tudtud, worked to calm the panicked students as the operation progressed.
The rescue was completed in approximately five minutes. Footage of the operation, including the students’ emotional relief upon being freed, was later shared on the university's official Facebook page, "The Nation Builder."
After the students were safely removed from the elevator, they were promptly assessed by emergency medical personnel. Fortunately, none of the students required immediate medical attention, though their vital signs were checked to ensure their well-being. Once cleared, the students were allowed to go home.
As of the latest update, the elevator in the ST building remains out of service as university officials work to address the technical issues.