"Kwa-dang" Elderly People Pulling Handcarts Subway Escalator Warning

Analysis of Escalator Fall Accidents in Seoul Subway... 257 Accidents in the Last 5 Years
58.4% of Accidents Involve Seniors Aged 60 and Over, Handcart Accidents Frequent at Jegidong Station

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] It has been revealed that escalator fall accidents in the Seoul subway have been occurring at a rate of 4 to 5 cases per month over the past five years. In particular, accidents involving seniors aged 60 and over accounted for nearly 60%, and handcarts and other luggage were identified as major causes.

On the 3rd, Seoul Transportation Corporation compiled data on escalator fall accidents in the Seoul subway from January 2017 to September 2021, a recent five-year period, and found that 257 cases had occurred. Accidents involving seniors aged 60 and over numbered 150, accounting for 58.4% of the total.

The station with the highest number of fall accidents was Gasan Digital Complex Station on Line 7, where 13 cases occurred. It is a congested station with a daily passenger volume of 53,963, has 12 escalators, and is located near commercial areas where many people buy goods and then take the subway, which is considered the cause. Additionally, many accidents occurred when seniors used escalators while transferring to Line 1. Terminal Station on Line 3 had 7 cases, and Chungmuro Station on Line 4, as well as Isu Station and Nowon Station on Line 7, each had 6 cases, following closely behind.

The types of fall accidents were diverse. Representative cases include passengers carrying large luggage such as walkers or handcarts fully loaded with goods losing balance on the escalator or luggage getting caught on the step edge at the end, causing falls. There were also accidents caused by carelessness, such as losing grip of the handrail while riding the escalator intoxicated.

Including minor accidents self-reported, looking at individual types, Jegi-dong Station on Line 1 frequently experienced escalator accidents caused by handcarts. The proportion of seniors among passengers was the highest at 51.5%, and nearby markets such as Gyeongdong Market and Yakryeong Market attract seniors who come to shop and use handcarts on escalators, leading to many accidents due to carelessness. Kkachisan Station and Amsa Station also had many handcart-related accidents.

Accidents caused by carelessness on escalators due to alcohol consumption occurred frequently at Chungmuro Station, Sindaebang Station, and Isu Station. According to government policy, large luggage such as strollers or carts are prohibited on escalators, but since this rule is not widely known, passengers have been using escalators without hesitation, which is considered the cause.

The corporation has established a usage etiquette policy stating, "Passengers carrying large luggage such as handcarts or walkers should use elevators instead of escalators!" and plans to widely promote this.

On the 22nd of last month, promotional materials indicating the location of alternative elevators were posted in front of escalator entrances at Achasan Station and Cheonho Station on Line 5, together with the Korea Elevator Safety Agency's public participation group. Starting in November, the notification of elevator locations will be expanded to the top 30 stations with the highest number of accidents.

Kim Seok-ho, Head of the Sales Division at Seoul Transportation Corporation, said, "Accidents caused by carrying large luggage on escalators can potentially lead to major accidents, and since most occur due to individual carelessness, there is a possibility of civil and criminal disputes between victims and others. We ask passengers to use elevators when carrying a lot of luggage for safety and to inform those around them widely. Additionally, we hope that those with physical difficulties will move together with a guardian."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.