An escalator at Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station in Kerala malfunctioned on May 6, 2026, moving in reverse at high speed and causing several passengers to lose balance and sustain injuries. The incident follows a similar malfunction reported the previous day, when passengers alerted railway authorities about the faulty operation, according to Friends on Rails, a passenger advocacy group.

The group's secretary, J. Lyons, alleged that despite complaints logged with the Railway Police Aid Post on Tuesday, no corrective action was taken before Wednesday's accident. Lyons stated that the escalator had been running in reverse and posed a serious risk, with officials only acknowledging receipt of the complaint without initiating repairs or safety checks.

Friends on Rails accused the Railways of systemic negligence, citing a lack of oversight over contract workers and ongoing repair work without adequate safety measures at multiple stations. It referenced a previous fire at Thrissur railway station that destroyed parked vehicles, claiming Railways had similarly avoided responsibility. The group warned that minor incidents are routinely underreported and that authorities appear to be waiting for a major disaster before taking preventive action.

The group called for immediate remedial measures and stronger accountability mechanisms to ensure passenger safety. Railway officials have not issued a formal statement on the incident. The station administration is expected to review escalator safety protocols in the coming days.