Couple narrowly escape being swallowed whole by collapsing escalator in China

A man and a woman narrowly avoid getting seriously hurt or even killed when the escalator that they were on gave way, just right after they stepped onto it.

According to CTGN, the incident took place at a metro station in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province on Mar 23.

A shocking video posted online shows how the couple had only just gotten onto the escalator when it malfunctioned, sending several metal steps flying out of place.

This incident is reminiscent of a 2015 case in Jingzhou, Hubei whereby a 31-year-old woman was killed after being 'swallowed up' by an escalator that she was on.

Horrific footage showed her throwing her young son to safety, as a metal plate collapsed beneath her feet and she fell into the gap.

The tragedy sparked worldwide outrage and shed the spotlight on escalator mishaps in China as well as around the world.

More recently, 18 people were left injured after an escalator in Hong Kong's Langham Place malfunctioned and suddenly reversed at high speed.

Shoppers lost their balance and rolled down the steps, before ending up among a pile-up at its base.