Tokyo Skytree elevator traps 20 people for over 5 hours, all rescued
Xinhua | Updated: 2026-02-23 08:55
TOKYO - An elevator at Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo's famous tourist attraction, stopped about 30 meters above ground, trapping 20 people inside for more than 5 hours on Sunday evening. No injuries have been reported.
Two out of four elevators connecting to the 350-meter-high observation deck stopped suddenly shortly before 8:30 pm local time on Sunday. One of them was empty, but the other, carrying 20 people including children, came to a halt about 30 meters above ground, public broadcaster NHK reported.
Rescuers from the fire department helped people move to an adjacent elevator that had been lowered to the same height, with its emergency door on its side open. All 20 passengers were freed at about 2 a.m. local time on Monday, the report said.
Police said no one was injured or complained of feeling unwell, and they were looking into the cause of the incident.
Tokyo Skytree, standing 634 meters tall, is the tallest broadcasting tower in the world.
