Overview
- An escalator at Berlin Hauptbahnhof suddenly ran backwards on Sunday, causing a woman to fall and suffer a minor knee injury, and no criminal complaint was filed.
- Deutsche Bahn has taken 42 of 54 escalators at Hauptbahnhof and 10 at Südkreuz out of service, with only certain connections on side platforms still operating.
- DB cites potential gearbox or drive defects and has engaged Kone to carry out technical examinations of the affected model.
- Travellers face long queues at lifts, crowded stairways, and significant accessibility hurdles, and station staff are guiding passengers and assisting with luggage.
- DB says a situation report will come by Friday evening and has not given a reopening timeline, while some media report precautionary closures at other stations nationwide and suggest initial reopenings could begin Saturday.