PUBLISHED ONOctober 27, 2026 8:10 AMBYLaili AbdeenTwo cleaners were left stranded in midair along the exterior of a skyscraper in central Hong Kong on Monday (Oct 26) evening after their gondola malfunctioned.
The workers, aged 25 and 47, were cleaning the facade of Jardine House when the suspended working platform they were on plunged to the ground, according to Hong Kong authorities.
They were left hanging from their safety harness ropes.
Hong Kong's fire department said it received emergency reports at 6.16pm and reached the scene in six minutes.
One worker trapped at a height of 35 storeys was brought to the ground, while the other stuck on the 43rd storey was taken to the rooftop of the 52-storey office tower.
Local media reported that one worker dangled outside the skyscraper for almost one and a half hours before being rescued at about 7.40pm.
Rescue personnel also deployed an inflatable air cushion on the ground as a precaution and the local police cordoned off adjacent pedestrian walkways to keep bystanders at a safe distance, according to reports.
Footage on social media shows a firefighter abseiling down the building and using a torchlight to locate the worker.
In another video, a firefighter can be seen hanging next to a worker perched on a window sill and and helping him wear another safety harness.
The fire department said both workers were subsequently taken to the hospital.
The fallen gondola was seen alongside the foot of the building in a photo posted online.
Social media users commended the firefighters and sent well-wishes for the safety of the workers.
The cause of the platform malfunction is reportedly under investigation.
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laili.abdeen@asiaone.com
