Tokyo Skytree's operator announced the reopening of the facility on Thursday following an elevator malfunction on Sunday that trapped 20 visitors for more than five hours. The cause was damage to a cable due to the tower swaying in the wind. Protective covers have been installed as a preventive measure.
Tokyo Skytree is a 634-meter broadcasting and observation tower located in Sumida Ward, Tokyo. On Sunday evening, two of the four elevators stopped, trapping 20 visitors in one that halted about 30 meters above the ground. They were confined for more than five hours and rescued through an emergency door using an adjacent elevator, with no injuries reported.
According to Tobu Tower Skytree Co., the operator, the cause was a cable running vertically through the elevator shaft becoming caught in a wheel beneath the car, damaging it and causing a short circuit. The tower's sway in the wind twisted the cable, leading to contact. The malfunction affected elevators from the base commercial building to the 350-meter-high observation deck.
Following the incident, the facility closed from Monday, resulting in a three-day suspension. At a Wednesday press conference, director Takashi Murayama stated, “We sincerely apologize for causing worry and concern to so many people.” The faulty elevator remains under inspection, while the other three were confirmed safe, allowing reopening at 10 a.m. Thursday. Over 100 visitors queued up upon resumption.
Chizuko Sumoto, 83, from Tokushima, said, “I was moved by the panoramic view of Tokyo. I hope (the operator) takes measures to make sure that people can visit without any more worries.” The company has installed protective covers over the wheels to prevent recurrence.
