Tokyo Skytree tower closed after 20 trapped in lift for 5 hours
Operator apologises after ‘elevator malfunction’ at famous Tokyo landmark traps visitors until 2am
Twenty people were trapped inside a lift at Tokyo Skytree tower from Sunday night for more than five hours, the operator said, adding that the facility, which is Japan’s tallest broadcasting tower and a popular tourist spot, will be closed throughout Monday for safety checks.
The passengers, including children, were stranded when the lift came to a sudden stop about 30 metres above street level, according to police. They were all rescued and no one was injured.
An emergency call was made at around 8.20pm on Sunday reporting the incident at the tower in Tokyo’s Sumida Ward.
According to Tobu Tower Skytree Co, two lifts stopped at around 8.15pm while running between the entrance on the fourth floor and the 350-metre-high observation deck.
The lift carrying 20 passengers was going down, while the other had no visitors inside.