Escalator accident in Japan?

Question

What exactly happened? Why was everyone freaking out? When I saw the video I didn't see what was wrong with the escalator...

Answer 1

Too many people were on the up escalator causing it to fail.  The weight caused the steps to go backwards which resulted in a panic.  Looked worse than it was.

Answer 2

The escalator stopped abruptly, a bunch of people fell, one broken leg was the worst injury. No big deal really.  I was on an escalator once when some joker hit the emergency stop, it was scary, I could see someone getting hurt. FYI about three people a year die in escalator accidents in the USA, mostly toddlers (best not to think about) and the occasional (usually drunk) adult who falls down and gets his clothing caught and strangles.

Answer 3

Oh, dude!  It was intense, man!

Some dude's foot got caught and it started pulling him in by the leg, and people were trying to grab his arm, but he went under, dude.  It was intense, dude!

Not really....I didn't see it.