It might be safer to just take the stairs, with the growing number of escalator mishaps happening these days.
Five people were injured last Friday while taking a ride up an escalator in a shopping mall in Ningbo, China. Security cam footage shows the passengers had gotten on the escalator after exiting a subway station to be taken up to the first floor of the mall.
During rush hour, the escalator malfunctioned and suddenly changed its direction, causing a group of shoppers to fall backwards over each other like dominoes.
Witnesses rushed to help those who had fallen and were trapped in a heap at the bottom of the escalator. 10 people were taken to the hospital, but only five were treated for minor injuries, reported CCTV News.
The Zhejiang post says Ningbo authorities are investigating the cause of the accident, but do not suspect foul play. The escalator was made by Xizi Otis, one of the country's largest manufacturers.
This escalator mishap is the latest in a string of similar accidents in China. In January, a Chinese toddler's hand was stuck under the hand rail of an escalator. Fortunately, the boy was spared from serious injuries thanks to a quick-acting shopper who activated the emergency stop button.
Last July, a Chinese mother lost her life trying to save her son when an escalator platform gave way and she plunged into the hole.
[H/T: Asiaone]