Panic at Duri Station as Escalator Suddenly Reverses Direction, Injuring Commuters
An escalator malfunction at Duri Station, West Jakarta, has left commuters injured. A total of 12 people sustained injuries when the escalator experienced an operational failure.
The escalator, located on the station platform, was operating in the upward direction when it suddenly reversed, causing passengers to lose their balance and fall. Several passengers landed near the malfunctioning escalator, prompting the immediate temporary suspension of its operation.
The incident occurred on Saturday (3/10/2026) at approximately 07:45 WIB. Numerous people on the escalator reportedly fell and collided with one another.
Witness Testimony
Mayska, a local resident, stated that the incident took place in the morning around 07:00 WIB. At that time, the escalator was initially operating normally.
“It was normal at first. The incident happened in the morning, around 7 o’clock,” Mayska said when met at Duri Station on Saturday (3/10/2026).
Mayska admitted she was not on the escalator when the incident occurred, but she witnessed the condition of the passengers after the fall. According to her, the escalator, which should have been moving upwards, suddenly moved backwards, causing passengers to be startled and lose their balance.
“The escalator suddenly went backwards. It was supposed to go up, but during the incident, it went backwards. People were unprepared, so they all fell and bumped into each other. They lost their balance,” she said.
The situation briefly descended into panic, with bystanders shouting for help. Security guards and staff immediately transported the injured individuals to the health post.
Another resident, Eka, admitted to using the escalator after it had stopped moving. He passed through the escalator area around 08:00 WIB.
Eka noted that while the escalator was no longer moving, staff had not yet installed barriers, allowing passengers to pass. He only learned of the malfunction after hearing reports from other commuters.
Eka admitted to feeling anxious after learning the escalator had reversed direction, but since it was stationary, he assumed it was safe to use.
Five People Referred to Hospital
According to KAI records, 12 people were affected, consisting of 10 adults and 2 children. VP Corporate Secretary of KAI Commuter, Karina Amanda, stated that 5 people continued their journeys, 5 were referred to Duta Indah Hospital, and 2 others are under further observation.
“We will continue to ensure the condition of all users and provide assistance as needed,” said Karina.
KAI Apologises
KAI Commuter’s VP Corporate Secretary, Karina Amanda, expressed an apology for the incident. She stated that all affected users had been evacuated and treated by medical personnel at the Duri Station Health Post.
“KAI Commuter apologises for the facility disruption involving one of the escalators at Duri Station on Saturday (3/10) at approximately 07:45 WIB. The disruption occurred on the escalator in the access area towards Platform 5,” Karina said in a written statement.
She added that as soon as the disruption occurred, security officers stationed at Platform 5 acted swiftly to stop the escalator’s operation and assist the affected passengers.
“Once the incident was known, officers at Duri Station responded immediately to provide evacuation assistance. All injured users were assisted to the Health Post for examination and initial treatment,” said Karina.
Temporary Suspension
KAI Commuter further noted that they have secured the escalator area and temporarily suspended its use. A technical team is currently conducting an inspection to ensure safety and determine the technical cause of the malfunction.
“Once again, we apologise to all affected users. We will ensure that the handling is carried out properly. Regarding the condition and cause of the escalator disruption, it is currently undergoing further investigation by the technical team,” she said.
As of Saturday (3/10) at 14:00 WIB, the malfunctioning escalator had been covered with a tarp, while the adjacent escalator remained available for passenger use.