Tokyo Skytree tower closed after 20 trapped in lift for 5 hours

South China Morning Post · Feb 23, 2026 · Collected from RSS

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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.Emergency crews at the scene overnight. Photo: KyodoFor the rescue, a lift adjacent to the one that was stranded was positioned at the same height. A stainless panel - 120cm long and 20cm wide - was placed in between so that customers were able to leave the stalled lift from an emergency door on the side.

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Tokyo Skytree tower closed after 20 trapped in lift for 5 hours

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