Krommenie lift failures trap elderly residents

In an apartment complex on Heiligeweg in Krommenie, the building's lift has repeatedly broken down, leaving many senior residents unable to move between floors. Since January, the lift has malfunctioned 31 times, according to 89‑year‑old resident Marianne Dijkstra‑Boon.

The residents, most of whom are in their 80s and 90s, rely on the lift for daily activities such as medical appointments, grocery trips, and visiting family. When the lift stops, they become effectively trapped in their homes, sometimes spending hours in the hallway. The failures have caused missed doctor visits, cancelled errands, and heightened anxiety among the elderly occupants, many of whom use rollators and cannot safely use stairs.

Despite repairs by maintenance crews, the problems persist, with the building management describing the issues as minor, such as brake faults, while the residents consider them serious safety concerns.