Archive · 31 Jul 2026
Bronto Skylift Failure Kills Nine in Delhi Fire
A big fire broke out in a four‑story building in Palam, Delhi, on March 18.
Firefighters tried to rescue people using a special crane called a Bronto Skylift.
The crane’s arm got stuck in cables and banners, so it stopped working.
The firefighters had no other tall ladder to use, and the crane crew had never been formally trained.
Because of these problems, nine people, including three children, died.
A government report says the fire started from a short circuit and that the building had illegal cables.
It also says the city’s licensing office let a shop use the first floor even though it was not allowed.
The report recommends better training, backup equipment, and stricter rules for cables and building safety.
Nine people died when a Bronto Skylift failed during a rescue in Palam on March 18.
The crane’s boom became entangled in overhead cables and banners, preventing it from operating.
Crew members had never received formal training from the authorized dealer since the machine was bought in 2006.
The Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD) allowed commercial activity on the building’s first floor, violating licensing rules.
The report recommends installing backup high‑rise rescue equipment, training crews, and regulating cable providers.
- Who
- Delhi Fire Services crew and residents of Palam
- What
- A hydraulic crane (Bronto Skylift) failed during a rescue, killing nine people
- When
- March 18, 2024
- Where
- Palam, Delhi, India
- Why
- Entanglement of cables and banners, lack of backup equipment, and crew untrained
- Incident date
- March 18, 2024
- Location
- Palam, Delhi
- Fatalities
- 9
- Equipment involved
- Bronto Skylift (BS-III)
- Probable cause
- Short circuit and entanglement of cables
- Training status
- Crew never received formal training
- Lapse in licensing
- MCD allowed commercial use on first floor