‘Bang' preceded shutdown of world's tallest tower in Dubai

[Newsjock]

Source: Associated Press

A faulty elevator was behind the shutdown of the observation deck on the world's tallest tower that effectively closed the half-mile-high Burj Khalifa to the public, witnesses and a Dubai rescue official said Tuesday.

Visitors who were on the viewing floor at the time of Saturday's incident told The Associated Press they heard a loud noise, then saw what looked like smoke but turned out to be dust seeping out of the crack in one of the elevator doors.

... “It almost sounded like a small explosion. It was a really loud bang,” said Michael Timms, 31, an American telecommunications engineer who lives in Dubai and was visiting the tower with his cousin Michele Moscato.

About 45 minutes later, rescue crews arrived and pried open the elevator door, Mr. Timms said. The faulty elevator was caught between floors, so rescuers hoisted a ladder into the shaft to help those trapped inside get out.

... The 2,717-foot (828-metre) building's owner, Emaar Properties, has revealed few details about the incident since closing the observation deck indefinitely.

... Emaar has made no mention of problems with the elevators. That angers some involved in the incident.

Read more: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/bang-preceded-shutdown-of-worlds-tallest-tower-in-dubai/article1461141/

[cbdo2007]

1. I have a bad feeling about that Burj Khalifa tower.....

It sort of seems like the modern day Titanic to me. They've been rushing to get it done and there have been so many problems along the way. They made it so much taller than all of the other towers in the world to show off their money, when they are really swimming debt.

I just don't want to be up in that thing the day something bad happens and half the building falls over or something.

[Wizard777]

2. OMG! Dust in the elevator shaft. They're going to have to improve their maid service.

They're obviously not keeping the place clean enough. Sweep it under the carpet or sweep it down the elevator shaft seems to be the answer to everything.

:sarcasm: