Tokyo SkyTree reopens after elevator halt

Tokyo SkyTree reopens after elevator halt

Staff members of Tokyo SkyTree tower announce the reopening of its observation deck to visitors on Feb. 26, 2026, after a three-day suspension due to an elevator malfunction. Twenty visitors were trapped for more than five hours starting on the night of Feb. 22 when an elevator stopped about 30 meters above street level while descending from the 350-meter-high observation deck.

Japan: 20 Trapped in Elevator at Tokyo Skytree, 1,200 Stranded on Observation Deck

Twenty people, including two children, were trapped in an elevator at Tokyo Skytree on Sunday night, February 22. About 1,200 visitors were also temporarily stranded on the observation deck. Those trapped were safely rescued early Monday after about five hours. The facility closed Monday for inspections. This video shows visitors stranded in the observatory tower following the incident.

China: Brave Child Calmly Handles And Survives Sudden Elevator Malfunction

On June 11, 2024, in Chongqing, an 11-year-old boy Yuanyuan experienced a terrifying elevator malfunction that caused the elevator to plummet from the ninth floor to the third sub-basement level. Despite the fear-inducing situation, the child remained composed, frantically pressing buttons to try and stabilize the situation. Then he half squatted, clinging his hands to the wall tightly. Because the child usually enjoys watching documentaries and may have picked up some knowledge, he remained calm and carried out self-rescue during the more than one minute he was trapped. Once home safely, the ordeal's impact hit, and the child burst into tears, according to his mother.

Schindler Elevator president offers prayer at accident site

Schindler Elevator president offers prayer at accident site

TOKYO, Japan - Holding a bouquet of white flowers, John Bundy (R), president of elevator manufacturer Schindler Elevator K.K., the Japan unit of Swiss elevator maker Schindler Holding Ltd., looks up at an apartment building where a teenage boy was killed in a malfunction of one of his company's elevators exactly three years ago.

Schindler Elevator president offers prayer at accident site

Schindler Elevator president offers prayer at accident site

TOKYO, Japan - Holding a bouquet of white flowers, John Bundy (R), president of elevator manufacturer Schindler Elevator K.K., the Japan unit of Swiss elevator maker Schindler Holding Ltd., looks up at an apartment building where a teenage boy was killed in a malfunction of one of his company's elevators exactly three years ago. (Kyodo)