Family Rescued from Kerala Skydining Malfunction

A family of four tourists, including two young children, along with a restaurant staff member, was safely rescued Friday after being stranded 150 feet above the ground for nearly three hours at a skydining attraction in Anachal, a hill town in India's southern state of Kerala.

The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. at the elevated restaurant operated by Southern Skies Aerodynamics in the Idukki district, popular for its scenic hills and adventure tourism offerings. Mohammed Safwan, 31, his wife Thoufeena, 25, and their two children, one a 2-year-old boy, had traveled from Kozhikode to enjoy the unique dining experience, which lifts patrons on a crane-supported platform for meals amid the landscape. As the family dined, a malfunction in the crane's hydraulic system halted the structure midair, leaving them suspended over rugged terrain.

Restaurant management did not immediately contact emergency services, according to fire and police officials. Instead, local residents noticed the platform dangling and alerted authorities, with news reports also prompting a response. Fire and rescue teams from nearby Munnar and Adimali stations arrived around 4 p.m. Rescuers placed a safety net...