Richard Han
BOLTS had worked loose causing an escalator to go into reverse at Guomao Station on Metro Line 1 resulting in 25 people being injured Tuesday, a preliminary investigation revealed yesterday.
Conducted by the city market and technical supervision authorities, the investigation showed that loose bolts caused the escalator chain gear to become disengaged.
The weight of the people exacerbated the problem suddenly causing the escalator to go into reverse, the report said.
The escalator manufacturer Otis had checked escalators at all Metro stations Tuesday to guard against similar incidents.
The Shenzhen Metro Co. said 16 of the 25 injured had been discharged from hospital, including a pregnant woman. Of the nine still being treated, six are hospitalized while three are under observation in a hospital outpatients department.
The incident happened during Tuesday s morning rush hour when the escalator was packed with about 60 people.
