Window Cleaner Fatally Injured After Becoming Caught in Gondola Cable During Storm in Surabaya

Two window cleaners of an apartment building became entangled in protective cables and were thrown about when heavy rain and strong winds struck Surabaya, East Java. One worker died whilst the other was injured.

“One has been evacuated and taken to hospital. Thank God he is still conscious,” said M Rokhim, Head of the Surabaya Fire Department, according to detikjatim, on Monday (2 March 2026).

“The other is still being brought down from the 25th floor; the condition is deceased,” he added.

He confirmed that both were in the same gondola during the evacuation process. He suspected that strong winds caused the incident. The injured worker was thrown about despite using safety equipment.

“The strong winds. Very strong winds along with the rain,” he said.

Rokhim stated that evacuation and medical assistance remain the priority, including investigating the cause of the incident.