A Cat Got Stuck on an Escalator and the Rescue Is the Best Thing You’ll See Today
At Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport, a cat drew attention for trying to climb a downward-moving escalator. Travelers stopped to watch as it struggled to make sense of the moving steps. The cat made multiple attempts, each one ending in slow defeat.
Eventually, a bystander intervened and redirected the cat to the correct escalator. This was a simple act, but it caught the internet’s attention and led to wider discussions about animal safety in public spaces. Behind the amusing moment was a reminder of the risks animals face around moving machinery.
The Escalator Confused the Cat but Didn’t Scare It
Video from the airport showed the cat approaching the descending escalator without hesitation. It walked onto the moving steps and started climbing. As the escalator pushed against its efforts, the cat slid back toward the bottom.
It paused, looked up, and tried again, but each attempt ended halfway. The cat didn’t show signs of panic or pain, which allowed people nearby to stay calm. Then a man picked up the cat and placed it on the upward-moving escalator. The cat rode all the way to the top and walked off safely.
Istanbul’s Street Cats are Familiar with Public Spaces
This is not an unusual incident to take place in Istanbul, where cats live alongside people. They may not be kept as pets at home, but they aren’t wild either. Residents regularly feed them and give them space. They are accepted in parks, restaurants, markets, and airports.
This level of social familiarity explains why the cat on the escalator remained calm. It was likely used to people, noise, and indoor spaces. That trust made it easier for someone to help without resistance.
Online reactions from Turkish users reflected this cultural norm. Many noted that the cat likely knew where it was going and didn’t seem distressed. This wasn’t a lost or abandoned animal. It was a street cat navigating the city the way many do.
Not Every Escalator Story Ends Without Injury
Image via Getty Images/Liubomyr Vorona
While this one cat’s video spread across the internet and brightened people’s days, not all felines are as fortunate as this one when it comes to escalators.
In one video shared by a rescue group, a kitten’s paw became caught in the mechanism. Its nails were torn out, and it cried out while individuals present there worked to stop the escalator. That rescue required immediate action and veterinary care. In another recording, a cat’s tail was trapped between the steps. It was visibly in pain and vocalizing while a person filmed instead of helping.
Online responses to that video were largely critical. Viewers pointed out the location of emergency stop buttons and asked why no one acted faster. Such cases highlight the real dangers posed by escalators to animals. Unlike the playful scene at the airport, these moments required awareness, fast decisions, and access to proper support.