Nelson Morales

Passengers hurt after MRT-3 elevator malfunctioned

Article (news)

Andrea Taguines

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) -- At least 10 people were injured, six of whom had to be hospitalized, due to an escalator malfunction at the Taft Avenue station of the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) on Saturday.</p><p>The CCTV footage showed a line of commuters falling like a stack of dominoes after the upward-moving escalator suddenly stopped and then went in reverse at a faster speed than normal.</p><p>One of the affected commuters likened the experience to a scene from American horror franchise Final Destination.</p><p>&quot;Bumulusok kami pababa. Napahawak ako sa railing, sabi ko, &#x27;oh my God, oh my God!&#x27; Nabitawan ko rin po kasi nagtutulakan na, parang stampede yung nangyari, nagbagsakan,&quot; said Aya Coner.</p><p>Several days later, Coner said her leg and lower back still hurt, making it difficult for her to walk. She was also left traumatized by the incident.</p><p>&quot;Nakaka-trauma yung nangyari kasi yung isa ang lakas ng iyak niya, tapos yung isa naman nakita ko tumulo na yung dugo sa daan sa may escalator,&quot; she recounted.</p><p>Faith Acosta, a 17-year-old student, was the one crying loudly after both of her thighs got wounded and bruised.</p><p>&quot;Habang pabagsak yung escalator, nakadapa ako… Nasa isip ko po noon parang, my gosh paano ako babangon nito? Hindi ako makatayo. Hala, mamamatay nako, parang ganun po yung nasa isip ko… Hindi po nila ako mapakalma since ako lang mag-isa noon,&quot; shared Acosta.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/884SsFKeXNc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span>The train management said the main drive chain of the escalator was found to be damaged. </div><p>It vowed to shoulder the medical expenses of those who were hurt.</p><p>&quot;Tayo po ay humihingi ng paumanhin sa ating mga pasahero at in coordination na po sa mga naapektuhan noong insidente,&quot; said MRT-3 General Manager Oscar Bongon.</p><p>According to MRT-3, it has already instructed its service provider to conduct extensive maintenance more often to prevent similar incidents from happening again.</p><p>The damaged escalator was eventually fixed on Tuesday, at around 5:30 pm.</p><p>Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon apologized to everyone that was affected.</p><p>&quot;Talagang humihingi ako ng paumanhin sa ating mga kababayan. Hindi dapat nangyayari yung mga ganito e,&quot; he said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.</p><p>For those in need of additional assistance, Dizon said they may call the MRT-3 hotline: 09957363129.</p><p>Dizon also plans to personally inspect all the MRT-3 stations soon.</p><p>&quot;Magco-conduct ako ng audit inspection ng lahat ng istasyon. Iikutin ko mismo lahat ito at titignan ko, number 1, kung may mga problema ba. Number 2, kung ano pa yung kailangan nating iimprove para sa mga pasahero natin… Dapat hindi na maulit &#x27;to,&quot; he said.</p><p>He added that this only reinforces the DOTr&#x27;s commitment to the privatization of transportation infrastructure, such as the MRT-3, to enhance safety and convenience for commuters.</p><p>&quot;Kasi pag gobyerno, ang hirap talaga kasi maraming limitasyon at hindi kumpleto ang skills, capacity, capability ng mga tao sa dahil unang-una, ang baba ng sweldo. Hindi tayo makakapaghire ng mga engineer na alam natin siyempre in demand yan sa private sector,&quot; he said.</p><p>According to Dizon, he is confident the MRT-3 and other rail systems like the LRT-2 can be privatized within the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABVYOpYULc8XweP9"></script>

<p>Several passengers sustained injuries after an escalator of the MRT-3 at the Taft station malfunctioned last Saturday, March. 8.</p>

Several passengers sustained injuries after an escalator of the MRT-3 at the Taft station malfunctioned last Saturday, March. 8.

'Parang Final Destination': MRT-3 escalator malfunction injures at least 10

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'Parang Final Destination': MRT-3 escalator malfunction injures at least 10

Andrea Taguines,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 11, 2025 06:50 PM PHT

|

Updated Mar 11, 2025 07:40 PM PHT

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