Southern Railway has ordered a technical and safety investigation after a potentially catastrophic incident at Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station, where an overcrowded escalator suddenly reversed direction on Wednesday, narrowly avoiding a major tragedy.
Probe Initiated
Railway authorities have directed a safety engineer to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident and examine all possible causes. A report has also been sought from Johnson Lift and Escalator Company, the firm responsible for maintaining the station's escalators.
Incident Details
The incident occurred on the escalator connecting platforms 4 and 5 shortly after the arrival of the Vanchinad Express and Intercity trains, when a large number of passengers attempted to board the escalator simultaneously. According to railway officials, the escalator abruptly stopped under the heavy load and then suddenly reversed direction.
Two women sustained injuries after falling during the ensuing panic and were taken to a hospital. Officials confirmed that their injuries were minor.
Why a Disaster Was Averted
Railway authorities stated that a major accident was avoided because the reverse movement of the escalator remained slow, and passengers did not fall onto others. Preliminary findings suggest that the escalator became overloaded during the rush hour and may have stopped after the emergency button was accidentally pressed. Officials said the sudden stoppage possibly caused the brake mechanism to slip, resulting in the escalator moving backwards.
Maintenance Record
The railways maintained that all six escalators at the station undergo regular maintenance and that the affected escalator had recently been serviced. The investigation will focus on determining the exact cause of the malfunction and ensuring such incidents are prevented in the future.
