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Visitors were stranded at both the restaurant and observation-platform levels of Berlin’s Funkturm on Friday evening, 2 October 2026, after the tower’s lift stopped working. Firefighters helped people leave the restaurant by stairs; the lift company later restarted the lift in emergency mode so those at the observation platform could descend.

What happened at the Funkturm?

The Berlin Fire Brigade’s incident listing records an “Aufzugsausfall im Funkturm” (lift failure at the Funkturm) at 21:42 on 2 October. Same-day reporting said emergency services were called at about 21:45, so the published times differ slightly by source. Berlin Fire Brigade incident listing and report

People were at two levels when the lift failed: the restaurant, 55 metres above ground, and the observation platform, 126 metres above ground. The tower’s official visitor information describes the glass lift as the route to the observation platform. visitBerlin: Berlin TV Tower Funkturm

How many people were stranded?

Reports agree that about 15 people were at the restaurant level, but give different numbers for the observation platform. rbb/tagesschau reported six people at about 125 metres; a dpa-based report said four people were at around 126 metres. The accounts do not resolve the discrepancy. rbb/tagesschau and dpa-based reporting

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Metal Building Toys, 273pcs 3 in 1 Tower Crane & Frame Crane & Windmill Metal Model Set,Erector Sets for Boys Age 8-12,DIY Building Stem Projects Toys for Kids,Birthday Gifts for Model Crane Fan
  • 【3 in 1 Metal Model kit】3 in 1 Tower Crane & Frame Crane & Windmill(NOTE: 3 shapes can't exist at the same time)Metal Model kit includes 273 parts and pieces, such as nuts, bolts, small screwdriver, and wrench, etc., Made of metal ,Each piece is made of anti rust metal which is more durable and sturdy than other plastic assemblies
  • 【Standard Size】3 in 1 Erector Sets Frame Crane measures over 5.6" high, 7.8" long, and 4.5" wide;Tower Crane measures over 10" high, 10.8" long, and 5.6" wide;Windmil measures over 6.9" high, 5" long, and 2.4" wide,after you finished the assembly process,it will be even more favorite than you think
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How were visitors brought down?

Firefighters helped the restaurant visitors descend by stairs. The dpa-based account said one person with limited mobility was brought down with an evacuation chair. Height-rescue personnel were called as a precaution. The lift company ultimately restarted the lift in emergency mode, allowing people at the observation platform to descend by lift. Berlin Fire Brigade report dpa-based report

What caused the lift failure?

The incident reports reviewed do not establish the technical cause of the outage. They describe the evacuation and lift restart but do not report serious injuries or a formal safety finding. It would therefore be premature to attribute the failure to a specific mechanical problem or to draw conclusions about the tower’s overall safety. Berlin Fire Brigade report dpa-based report

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Mould King 17096 Luffing Jib Tower Crane Building Block Set, Large Technical Construction Vehicles Crane Truck Model with Motors/APP Remote Control, Collectible Set for Adults & Teens 14+ Gift (2565+)
  • 【MOC Mobile Crane Truck】Build a highly detailed, functional replica of a luffing jib tower crane from 2565+ pieces. This MOC kit features realistic operations including a raising/lowering jib, 360-degree rotating turntable, and a powerful winch system for lifting, offering an immersive engineering challenge. Builders can explore basic engineering concepts while enjoying hours of creative fun.
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  • 【Easy to Assemble】The technique truck made of 2565+ high-quality ABS plastic with a colorful step-by-step instruction booklet and numbered pouch, and the finished product is sturdy and easy to attach, compatible with mainstream building blocks. Making it easy for everyone to understand and assemble.
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Reobrix Crane Building Blocks Set, Remote Control Tower Crane Model
  • 【Interactive RC Experience, Endless Fun】Reobrix tower crane building set is equipped with 2 high-performance motors and 7.4V 500mAh rechargeable lithium battery. The crane supports remote control (2 AAA batteries, not included) or mobile phone APP Bluetooth connection control for a realistic experience
  • 【Exquisite and Rich Detail Design】Our crane model measures 32.48in(L)x11.61in(W)x26.37in(H) and has rich features such as 360° rotating crane arm, adjustable hook and manually opened cab door. Clearly visible motor and battery box make assembly effortless, providing endless play options and enhancing realism
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BESTYMXY Building Toys Model Set 273PCS - Tower Crane, Frame Crane & Windmill 3 in 1 Metal Kit, DIY Building STEM Projects, Educational Assembly Metal Toys
  • Metal Materials: Tower Crane & Frame Crane & Windmill model kit includes 273 parts with bolts, nuts, small screwdrivers, wrenches and more. The metal is rust-resistant and of good quality, making it a quality STEM Projects Erector Set Toys.
  • 3 in 1 Model: After assembling this Stem Projects Toys, you can get [Tower Crane] or [Frame Crane] or [Windmill] (NOTE: 3 shapes can't exist at the same time). The assembled model is very beautiful, is a rare piece of Model, suitable for Building Construction and DIY enthusiasts.
  • Clear & Detailed Instructions: Our Instructions are Detailed, Clearly showing every step of the process to help kids get started quickly. Whether you are a novice or a professional, you will find great satisfaction in making your own toy models.
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  • Best Model Gift: This Tower Crane & Frame Crane & Windmill Metal Set is unique in design and beautifully crafted, retaining the intricate structure of a construction machinery. (The tower crane's lifting arm can be moved back and forth, and the crane can rotate 360° and is equipped with a limit switch)(Frame Crane's lifter can move up and down) (Windmill's blades can rotate 360°) . It is a Great Model Collector's item and Best Gift.
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35.5-Inch 6 Channel RC Tower Crane for Kids, Remote Control Crane Toy with LED Lights, 360° Rotating Lift Construction Vehicles with Grabber, Log, Lifting Basket, Educational Learning Toys for Boys
  • 6-Channel Tower Crane Toy: This engineering-style crane operates like a real tower crane. Its platform rotates 360° freely in both directions, while the trolley moves forward and backward and the hook lifts and lowers with smooth control. It realistically mimics construction site operations, helping children develop hand-eye coordination and spatial thinking while inspiring their interest in STEM learning
  • DIY Assembly: This crane set includes multiple components such as the base, legs, tower sections, boom, and tie rods. Kids can follow the illustrated instructions to assemble their own fully functional tower crane. With a grabber, log piece, and cargo basket included, they can lift and move different objects in various pretend-play scenarios.
  • Adjustable Height: If it's too high for small children, the height of the crane can be adjusted. It can be adjusted to 20.1 inches,27.8 inches and 35.5 inches. The remote control distance range is up to 100ft with excellent anti-interference.
  • Educational LED Toy: This interactive crane helps build early learning skills while promoting cognitive thinking, gross motor development, and practical abilities. Ideal for both indoor and outdoor play, it features vibrant LED lights on top that glow during operation — lighting up as the hook lifts and lowers for added playtime excitement. To activate the lights and remote control, just install 2 AA batteries (not included).
  • A perfect gift for kids: This RC tower crane will keep children engaged for hours as they operate a realistic mini construction machine — offering the thrill of controlling equipment that normally takes years to master in the real world. It makes an ideal present for construction enthusiasts of any age.

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