(live here) – An elevator malfunction is a relatively routine event, but when the systems designed to provide a response in an emergency are not working, the result can be frightening and even dangerous. This is exactly what happened to Efrat Tamir, a resident of Haifa, who was trapped for about 20 minutes in the elevator of the "Shufersal Deal" branch in the Haifa Grand Mall, without any ability to call for help. Tamir: "If someone else had gotten stuck, it could have ended differently."
The incident occurred on Wednesday, 14/5/25. Efrat tells "Hai Fe": "I got into the elevator and suddenly felt it 'jump' and stop on floor minus 3. I tried to ring the alarm bell, but there was no response. Fortunately, I don't suffer from claustrophobia, but I thought about what would have happened if someone else, with anxiety, had gotten stuck there. It could have ended completely differently."
According to her, after repeatedly pressing the emergency bell, she noticed two phone numbers that, according to the instructions, are designated for emergencies. Efrat tried to dial them – but without success: "Both numbers didn't work. Then the light also started to dim and finally went out completely. I was really stressed and nervous – I'm stuck alone, without light, without communication, and without knowing when I'll be rescued."
Finally, she noticed an outside light coming through the crack in the doors, and realized that she was near one of the floors. While physically trying to open the doors herself, she managed – along with a woman who was outside the elevator – to escape. But the moments of relief were quickly replaced by anger. Efrat contacted the supermarket representative, who sent her to the mall management. There, it was claimed that the elevator was the responsibility of the supermarket. Finally, she managed to meet the branch manager, who accepted responsibility, apologized, and promised that the issue would be investigated and addressed.
"He claimed that no one heard the alarm bell, and when they tried to dial the numbers themselves that appeared inside the elevator, they saw that the numbers really didn't work. I didn't accept the apology. The elevator is old, not working properly, and this isn't the first time this has happened - the woman who helped me out also told me that a similar incident happened about a month ago."
Efrat, who previously worked in a medical institution, emphasizes that elevators are a serious safety issue: "In other places, when an emergency alarm is activated, they arrive immediately. Here I was completely alone, helpless. An elevator is not a game - it must meet standards and provide an immediate response."
The Grand Canyon stated that the elevator is the responsibility of Shufersal.
No response was provided from the Grand Canyon branch of Shufersal Deal.
Compensation should be claimed for this as soon as possible and a claim for neglect and emotional distress from the management of the supermarket and its management. Something is very rotten at the supermarket. There is a recurring problem with the old elevator. Replace it immediately.
Shouldn't the elevator inspector also check the alarm bell and the availability of emergency phones? If not, it's time to require them to do so.
Reminds me. When I was pregnant with a high-risk pregnancy, I tried to schedule an appointment with a gynecologist who specializes in high-risk pregnancies. That's the health insurance company's guidance. When I called the KOPH hotline, they referred me to the Women's Health Center. When I called the Women's Health Center, the answering machine had a recording saying "To schedule an appointment, press 1." I pressed 1 and it took me back to the hotline! And so it was ping-pong and I explained to them that I was pregnant at risk and that they should decide who would schedule an appointment for me!! I ran after the Women's Health Center and tried to manipulate the recording on their answering machine differently, which was cumbersome and I couldn't get a human representative to schedule an appointment with the right doctor. I tried several times. Before I could get to the doctor, I had already detected bleeding, went to the emergency room and it ended in a spontaneous miscarriage... It's true that the miscarriage itself is not directly related to the lack of a doctor's examination, but in the end I went through several weeks of a high-risk pregnancy without any medical response just because the recording on the Women's Health Center's answering machine is cumbersome. And they are already overloaded...
Why didn't you think of going to a private doctor, for example?
This is a safety issue.
Since it belongs to Shufersal, the branch should be closed immediately!!!!!!!!
Only after the current elevator installation/repair
To ensure the safety of passengers, the activity must be allowed on site.
Otherwise, don't enter this place!!!!!!
Unfortunately, that's how it works.
...
Right
Only a lawsuit for a huge sum will move anything. But we all know the judges in Israel and the "respect" they have for the citizens of the country.
You made them laugh… The concept of “taking responsibility” does not exist in the Israeli lexicon. It is not an October 7th issue – it simply does not exist in the (lack of) Israeli culture.
From the bottom of my heart
Efrat, you deserve financial compensation from Shufersal.!!! They should pay!!!! Arrogant.
Regardless of the elevator, the level of sales at Shufersal supermarkets has decreased in recent years.
What are they waiting for... for a pregnant woman to get stuck there and give birth there or for someone to have a heart attack there? Are they waiting for a lawsuit?
"Elevator Horror" is an exaggerated title. 20 minutes is not a long time. And it is true that the bell and communication need to be standard. And if it had worked, it would have taken the technician longer to arrive. And the recommendation is not to try to rescue someone who is not certified. It is much more dangerous than sitting in an elevator, no matter how long. And I am from the elevator industry
Hi. Please note that getting stuck in an elevator is an unpleasant event, no matter how long.
Certainly without a fan, without light… And this is like someone who entered an elevator years ago and there was no elevator. There was only a shaft tens of meters long.
Everything went according to the usual plan:
According to the 5 steps of the scale (of emergency)
1. Trying to appeal to 'bells' – as if someone enjoys their sounds (especially in a mall) in order to wait for someone to do something (comic relief but low chance) and whistle in anticipation.
2. Call the hotlines (sometimes they work for you).
3. Stress and nerves (to be expected).
4. Independent action (success through brainpower) because there is light behind the doors.
5. Stress and nerves that you would have to think about yourself (expected to be directed towards the person(s) in charge).
I also had this happen in a nursing home in Karmiel, and luckily I had my cell phone with me. And I called the fire department since no one else answered and the elevator company didn't come because there was no insurance. The help arrived immediately. They rescued me after an hour and a half. Part of the door was broken.
The responsibility falls on the labor office inspector, not on the service company, as to whether a thorough inspection was performed or just a sticker and all...
This branch must be closed.
Who shops there? The sanitation situation is terrible, everything looks dirty. I wouldn't go near there even if they paid me to shop there.
This elevator is suitable for the 19th century. There is not a week that it does not get stuck. Second, try to be a second late and the elevator closes on you quickly. One day someone will be killed and then they will wake up and start investigating why this is happening. This elevator must be replaced immediately and a new elevator installed. This is criminal negligence.
You're right. The elevator is closing on you with great force. Shufersal, which robbed its customers at outrageous prices, should invest in a new elevator. Insolent.
Wow, what fear, it really could have ended differently. Unequivocal. Fear of God
One neglected and old elevator
It cannot be replaced. The elevator is one of the ancient remains of ancient Rushmia.
What luck
Just reading this made me anxious.
me too
Doesn't surprise me. When it comes to Shufersal, nothing is surprising anymore.
Not even for branch managers.
How crazy...lucky it ended well...why didn't anyone notice that the elevator didn't reach the supermarket? Where's the guard? What about all the other shoppers?...the management's lack of care in general, all the elevators at the Grand are really on point.