Legal Charges Filed in Tragic Ursvik Elevator Accident
Charges filed against three individuals in Ursvik elevator accident that killed five workers.
- • Three individuals charged with workplace safety violations in Ursvik elevator accident.
- • The elevator fell 30 meters at 90 km/h, killing five workers.
- • The CEO is also accused of failing to ensure safety checks and compliance.
- • The union calls for additional charges against the main contractor involved.
Key details
In a significant development following the December 2023 elevator accident in Ursvik, Sundbyberg, which resulted in the deaths of five workers, legal charges have now been filed against three individuals involved in the case. The accused include the CEO of the elevator company and two installers, each facing charges of gross negligence related to workplace safety violations. The incident, which saw the elevator fall 30 meters at a staggering speed of 90 kilometers per hour, raised serious questions about safety protocols and compliance in construction environments.
The tragedy unfolded on December 11, 2023, leading to extensive investigations that revealed critical oversights. Prosecutor Lars Ågren has emphasized that the installers failed to secure essential bolts that were crucial for holding the elevator sections together. Had these bolts been installed as required, it was suggested that the accident might have been averted. Furthermore, Ågren criticized the installers for not conducting adequate self-inspections of their work, a measure that could have highlighted the missing components prior to the elevator's operation.
The CEO faces additional scrutiny for allegedly neglecting to ensure compliance with safety inspections and regulations mandated by the Swedish Work Environment Authority. To date, all three individuals have denied the allegations against them. Beyond individual charges, Ågren has proposed a substantial corporate fine of seven million kronor aimed at the elevator company, underscoring the severity of the safety violations involved.
The union Byggnads has backed the charges, advocating for accountability beyond the elevator company. They demand that the main contractor of the construction site also be charged due to their role in maintaining safety standards and executing necessary inspections. The complexity of the case is exacerbated by the involvement of numerous subcontractors—reportedly 119—along with their respective responsibilities, which has considerably delayed the investigation process. Ågren noted that while identifying a perpetrator in violent cases is straightforward, the web of companies involved in this incident complicates matters substantially.