LRT passengers trapped as LRT doors fail to open

MANILA, Philippines – Panic-stricken passengers of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) complained of trouble breathing and heat exhaustion after the train doors failed to open at the Central Station in Plaza Lawton, Manila yesterday morning.

A video of the commotion and hysterical passengers went viral in social media yesterday as soon as it was posted by a passenger, gaining close to 100,000 views and various negative comments regarding the LRT system.

The over two-minute video uploaded by Kurt Ebol showed irate passengers trying to forcibly open the doors that were stuck when the train arrived at the Central Station.

In his comment, Ebol said the train’s operator advised the passengers to just open the windows to let air in.

Earlier, a video taken by some students showed a Metro Rail Transit (MRT) train running with its door open. The MRT operates along the stretch of EDSA.

Ebol said some of the passengers reportedly tried to use the emergency lever but it also failed to open the door.

After a short time the door of the first coach opened and passengers hurriedly exited the train.

According to the LRT management, the train lost traction and this affected the control of the doors.