An elevator collapsed in a student dormitory at the University of Thessaloniki

One of the six elevators at a student residence at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), in northern Greece, collapsed on Monday evening.

Miraculously, no students were trapped inside and no one was injured. The company responsible, TUV AUSTRIA, said in a statement that the elevator at AUTH had been operating without the required inspection certificate for 2 years.

One of the six elevators serving dorm residents fell at 9 p.m., when many students were returning to their rooms. Minutes before the collapse, one of the students reportedly entered the elevator and became afraid that it was not working properly as it suddenly stopped between two floors, causing her to slightly hit her foot.

“There are often problems with this elevator. I was carrying bags from the supermarket, and he began to rise and fall, but I did not pay attention to it. From the 1st to the 2nd floor he stopped abruptly. There was a blow and I slightly hit my foot, falling on my purchases in the supermarket. He stopped for a few seconds, and when he reached my floor, I left. I heard plaster falling and dust flying from the elevator doors. I reported to the secretariat, and half an hour later the elevator fell,” – said the injured student.

Almost half an hour later, the elevator fell, causing panic among students, who heard a deafening noise and called the fire department. Konstantina Papagianni, who lives in the 3rd dormitory, said that at 9 pm on Monday there was a deafening sound: “There was a feeling that something was collapsing. Smoke appeared, which was most likely dust, and a nearby elevator also malfunctioned. Luckily there was no one inside. The fire brigade arrived and when they opened it, whole pieces fell out.”

Students emphasized that “we are alive thanks to luck. “The situation in the dormitories is difficult, as the elevator fell again, and a tree fell in the 4th dormitory. Our lives, as well as the lives of the staff, are in danger,” – students told local media thestoday.gr. They emphasized that the elevators in the 3rd AVT dormitory, where 300 students live, often experience problems.

The elevator at AUTH operated without the required inspection certificate for 2 years, the statement said. TUV AUSTRIAa certified elevator inspection organization, reports the publication. ethnos.gr.

“TUV AUSTRIA, a certified elevator inspection organization with a leading position in the Greek market in safety inspections, notes that this elevator was inspected by an experienced company inspector on 03/03/2022 and 09/12/2023.”the company said in a statement.

“However, none of the said inspections resulted in the issuance of an annual inspection certificate, as required by Greek law, and, consequently, the elevator operated for at least two years without the said standard inspection certificate.”– added TUV AUSTRIA.

At the same time, the company called for an investigation into the serious incident. AUTH Rector Professor Charalambos Feidas immediately called a contractor company that was involved in servicing the elevators in the dormitories.

The fire department ordered a preliminary investigation to look into possible charges of reckless endangerment and building code violations after assessing the circumstances of the incident, including the date the elevator was last serviced and the unsafe materials used. All elevators in University residence halls will be inspected for maintenance.

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