20 trapped for 5 hours after elevator malfunction at Japan's tallest building

By Hoang Vu February 22, 2026 | 08:25 pm PT

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20 trapped for 5 hours after elevator malfunction at Japan's tallest building

Tokyo Skytree is illuminated in Tokyo, Japan July 24, 2018. Photo by Reuters

An elevator at Tokyo Skytree, a popular tourist attraction in Japan, stopped about 30 meters above the ground on Sunday night, trapping 20 people inside for five and a half hours.

The incident began at around 8:15 p.m. when two lifts traveling between the fourth-floor entrance and the 350-meter main observation deck came to a halt, Kyodo News Agency reported.

All 20 passengers including two children were rescued without injuries, Japan News reported.

The operator of Tokyo Skytree said the building will remain closed throughout Monday to allow thorough inspections of its elevator systems.

Visitors who purchased advance tickets will receive refunds.

Standing at 634 meters high, the Tokyo Skytree is Japan's tallest building and third-tallest structure in the world.

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