Approximately 1,200 visitors to the observation deck of Tokyo's Skytree tower were stranded there for nearly six hours after an elevator carrying 20 people got stuck.
The incident occurred on Sunday at 8:15 p.m. local time when one of the four elevators serving the observation decks stopped at a height of approximately 30 meters. Initial attempts to move the cabin failed, so the neighboring elevator was raised to the same height. The emergency doors of both cabins were opened and a one-meter walkway with railings was built between them, allowing passengers to pass to the working elevator. Passengers were stranded for nearly six hours, to 2:02 a.m.
Meanwhile, according to local media, there were approximately 1,200 people on the observation decks at the time of the incident who were unable to get down. However, within approximately three hours, all of them were able to use other working elevators.
The cause of the elevator failure is still unknown. The tower operator apologized for the incident and promised to conduct a full inspection of the equipment. As a result, the observation decks were closed on Monday, a public holiday in Japan marking the birthday of Emperor Naruhito. All ticket holders have been promised refunds.