{"id":56998,"date":"2026-02-24T05:47:52","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T10:47:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/20-people-spend-6-hours-trapped-in-an-elevator-at-popular-tourist-attraction-after-it-comes-to-a-sudden-stop\/24\/02\/2026\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T05:47:52","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T10:47:52","slug":"20-people-spend-6-hours-trapped-in-an-elevator-at-popular-tourist-attraction-after-it-comes-to-a-sudden-stop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/20-people-spend-6-hours-trapped-in-an-elevator-at-popular-tourist-attraction-after-it-comes-to-a-sudden-stop\/24\/02\/2026\/","title":{"rendered":"20 People Spend 6 Hours Trapped in an Elevator at Popular Tourist Attraction After It Comes to a &#8216;Sudden Stop&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<h3 class=\"mb-4 text-lg font-bold\">NEED TO KNOW<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"mb-4\">\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Two elevators at Tokyo Skytree, an observation and broadcasting tower, came to an &#8220;unexpected stop&#8221; on Sunday, Feb. 22, trapping 20 people inside<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The visitors weren&#8217;t rescued until just after 2 a.m. the following day<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Tokyo Skytree offered their &#8220;deepest apologies&#8221; for the incident and the &#8220;stress and discomfort&#8221; caused<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Twenty people were trapped for almost six hours after an elevator at a popular tourist attraction in Tokyo came to a stop 100 feet from the floor.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The incident occurred on Sunday, Feb. 22, at the Tokyo Skytree, an observation and broadcasting tower in the center of Japan\u2019s capital.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tokyo-skytree.jp\/pdf\/notification\/a05fe0354066a8f176a7ad19feb15ef539222320262002.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:press release;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">press release<\/a> apologizing for the incident, Tokyo Skytree said that two elevators operating between the fourth floor and an observation deck at around 1148 feet came to an \u201cunexpected stop\u201d at approximately 8:15 p.m. local time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">One of the elevators was holding 20 people, and the visitors were stranded in the elevator until approximately 2:02 a.m. the following day.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<div style=\"max-height:none;overflow:visible\"><i>The Tokyo Skytree tower in the center of Tokyo, Japan&#8217;s capital <\/i><\/p>\n<p>Getty<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cWhile none of the affected guests suffered injuries or health concerns, we deeply regret the prolonged entrapment and the considerable stress and discomfort this must have caused,\u201d the release continued. \u201cWe also extend our deepest apologies to all visitors at the observatory who experienced significant delays in descending from the Tembo Deck as a result of this incident.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">According to local news agency <a href=\"https:\/\/english.kyodonews.net\/articles\/-\/71030\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Kyodo News;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Kyodo News<\/a>, two other elevators at the tower were out of use for about an hour while safety checks were conducted, leaving around 1,200 people on the observation deck and other areas of the tower unable to descend.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The cause of the elevator malfunction is currently being investigated, per the release.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cTo prevent any recurrence of such incidents, we are conducting a comprehensive inspection of all elevators and further reinforcing our maintenance and safety management systems,\u201d the release added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tokyo-skytree.jp\/en\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Tokyo Skytree website;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Tokyo Skytree website<\/a>, the attraction is temporarily closed Feb. 23 through Feb. 26. Refunds have been offered for those with tickets for these days.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"The Tokyo Skytree tower at night Sven-Erik Arndt\/imageBROKER\/Shutterstock\u00a0\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"667\" height=\"960\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/JLPj.fCfngw3khBxEW4HHQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTEzODI7Y2Y9d2VicA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/people_218\/7879f0f982468f7c84bc13675a5f7fa8\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<div style=\"max-height:none;overflow:visible\"><i>The Tokyo Skytree tower at night <\/i><\/p>\n<p>Sven-Erik Arndt\/imageBROKER\/Shutterstock <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Kyodo News reported that the elevator came to a sudden stop about 100 feet above street level, citing the police. An emergency call was made at around 8:20 p.m.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">According to the outlet, the passengers were rescued after an adjacent elevator was placed at the same height and a panel, measuring nearly four-foot long, was placed between the two elevators so visitors could leave the stalled elevator through a side exit emergency door.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Two children were traveling in the elevator that was carrying visitors, per local newspaper<em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.japantimes.co.jp\/news\/2026\/02\/24\/japan\/skytree-elevator-trapped\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:The Japan Times;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">The Japan Times<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for PEOPLE&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/people-news-daily-newsletter-sign-up-8692701\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:free daily newsletter;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">free daily newsletter<\/a> to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer\u200b\u200b, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The same elevator also came to a sudden stop in March 2017, trapping 27 people inside for 18 minutes, per Kyodo News.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Opened in 2012, the Tokyo Skytree is the world\u2019s tallest broadcasting tower at 2,080 feet high.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Read the original article on <a href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/20-people-spend-6-hours-trapped-elevator-popular-tourist-attraction-tokyo-11912756\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:People;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">People<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/articles\/20-people-spend-6-hours-101400299.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NEED TO KNOW Two elevators at Tokyo Skytree, an observation and broadcasting tower, came to an &ldquo;unexpected stop&rdquo; on Sunday, Feb. 22,<br \/><button class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/20-people-spend-6-hours-trapped-in-an-elevator-at-popular-tourist-attraction-after-it-comes-to-a-sudden-stop\/24\/02\/2026\/\">Read More &rsaquo;<\/a><\/button><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":56999,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/ZrZIK0pnsDSLv01Pazqdgw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyMDA7aD04MDA7Y2Y9d2VicA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/people_218\/11d989e2bcd6ee9ac98703492d7b129d","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56998"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56998"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56998\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56999"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56998"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56998"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56998"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}