A large number of people were left stranded Saturday evening after an elevator malfunctioned at the Tokyo Skytree, one of Japan’s most popular landmarks. Approximately 20 people were trapped when the elevator suddenly stopped about 30 meters (roughly 98 feet) above the ground, according to reports from the Tokyo Fire Department and the Asahi Shimbun newspaper.
The incident occurred around 8:20 to 8:25 p.m. Local time, prompting a swift response from emergency services. Police received initial reports of a rapidly descending or stalled elevator and dispatched personnel to the scene. TBS television reported the elevator experienced a sudden drop before halting.
Fire officials confirmed that as of Saturday evening, there were no reports of injuries among those inside the elevator. Multiple ambulances, fire trucks, and police vehicles have converged on the site, and rescue teams are working to assist the stranded passengers. The cause of the malfunction is currently under investigation.
The Tokyo Skytree, standing at 634 meters (2,080 feet) tall, features four elevators serving the “Tembo Corridor” at 350 meters. Each elevator can accommodate up to 40 passengers and reaches the observation deck in approximately 50 seconds, according to the East Japan Railway Company and Toshiba Elevator.
The incident comes as Taiwan as well announced a significant lottery win. On February 20, a single ticket holder in Taoyuan’s Guanyin District claimed a jackpot of NT$208 million (approximately $6.5 million USD) in the latest 大樂透 (Da Le Tou) drawing, according to the Central News Agency. The next drawing, scheduled for February 21, guarantees a minimum prize of NT$100 million.
In addition to the large lottery prize, several smaller prizes were awarded, including a NT$53.08557 million second prize. The 今彩539 (Jin Cai 539) lottery also awarded a top prize of NT$10 million to a ticket purchased in Novel Taipei City’s Linkou District. Details about the spring festival bonus and small bonus prizes are also available.
Elsewhere, a fire broke out in Wan Hua, Taiwan, Saturday evening, engulfing a wooden house and requiring the rescue of a 99-year-aged man, as reported by ETtoday. The Tokyo Skytree elevator incident and the lottery win are among the top news stories emerging from the region this weekend.
