Congress MP Shashi Tharoor trapped in hotel lift, 8 more people were with him, what did he say after rescue?

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor got stuck for some time in a private hotel in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday (July 17, 2026) evening due to lift malfunction. Eight other people were also present in the lift with him. Later, the Fire and Rescue Service team reached the spot and evacuated all the people safely.

According to the information, Shashi Tharoor had reached the hotel to attend the installation ceremony of Rotary Club of Trivandrum East. Meanwhile, the lift of the hotel suddenly stopped and all the people present in it got stuck inside.

According to Thiruvananthapuram Fire Station officials, information was received at 7:37 pm that several people, including Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, were trapped in a hotel lift. As soon as the information was received, a team of Fire and Rescue Service immediately left for the spot. Before the fire team arrived, the hotel staff and the people present there tried to open the lift doors and take out the people trapped inside. Some people also tried to open the door with the help of iron rod, but they did not succeed.

Half an hour in the lift was not a major problem, though it did make me unconscionably late for my next two appointments, one with a Minister calling on me! But I would wish to add a huge thank-you, and my highest appreciation, for the speed, efficiency and capability of the… https://t.co/9e800hEGiv

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) July 17, 2026

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What did the senior fire and rescue officer tell?

Senior Fire and Rescue Officer Jitesh Babu said that he had received information that about nine people were trapped inside the lift. The team reached the spot and saw that an attempt had been made to open the door slightly. After this, the rescue team opened the lift door with the help of hydraulic spreader machine and took out all the people safely. The Fire and Rescue Service team completed the rescue operation at around 7:51 pm. Investigation revealed that the lift had stopped midway before reaching its intended destination, due to which people were trapped inside.

Shashi Tharoor smiles after coming out of the lift

Shashi Tharoor was seen smiling after coming out of the lift. Thanking the rescue team, he said, “Thank you all. You have done a great job.” When officials asked him if he was okay, he told that everyone inside the lift was safe and no one was harmed. Later Shashi Tharoor also shared his experience on social media platform X. He wrote that being stuck in the lift for about half an hour was not a big problem, although it delayed his next two scheduled meetings. He highly appreciated the prompt action, efficiency and professional functioning of Kerala Fire and Rescue Service.

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