A shocking video from BRAC University in Dhaka has gone viral on social media, triggering widespread alarm over the safety of campus infrastructure. The footage captures the terrifying moment when an escalator inside the university premises suddenly malfunctioned and began moving at a dangerously high speed while students were using it.
Panic on a Speeding Staircase
The incident, captured in a 16-second clip, shows one side of the escalator operating normally while the adjacent side accelerates sharply. Students who had just stepped onto the fast-moving escalator were thrown into immediate panic, struggling desperately to maintain their balance. The video depicts a scene of chaos as individuals rush to step off at the landing, many clutching the handrails or holding onto each other for stability.
Audible shouts of “move, move, move” and screams from both those trapped on the malfunctioning equipment and horrified onlookers fill the audio, heightening the sense of urgency and fear. The escalator's abrupt shift to an unusually high speed is attributed to an apparent technical fault, though the exact cause remains officially unconfirmed.
Social Media Erupts with Safety Concerns
Following the video's rapid circulation online, social media platforms have been flooded with reactions from concerned netizens. Users have expressed deep worry about potential technical failures and are questioning the maintenance protocols and overall safety standards of the university's infrastructure. The lack of an immediate official statement from BRAC University authorities has further fueled public anxiety and speculation.
Key questions being raised include:
- The root cause of the sudden technical malfunction.
- The frequency and rigor of safety inspections for such equipment.
- The protocols in place for emergency situations involving campus facilities.
Awaiting an Official Response
As of now, BRAC University has not issued any official statement explaining the cause of the alarming malfunction or outlining the specific safety measures currently enforced to prevent such incidents. The university's silence in the wake of the viral video has become a focal point of the growing controversy. The student community and the public at large are awaiting a clear explanation and reassurance regarding the steps being taken to ensure such a hazardous situation does not recur, restoring confidence in campus safety.
The event underscores the critical importance of regular maintenance and robust safety checks for all public infrastructure, especially in densely populated spaces like educational institutions where the well-being of young people is paramount.