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Bizarre reason: new stairs in Tomislavce are always clogged, the city found out why
Croatia🏛️ PoliticsCenter9/1/2026

Bizarre reason: new stairs in Tomislavce are always clogged, the city found out why

The article reports on an ongoing issue in Zagreb where new escalators at the Importanne Center near Tomislavgrad have repeatedly stopped, causing inconvenience to residents. The city authorities claim that these stops are due to unauthorized individuals pressing emergency stop buttons, which are legally punishable under the Law on Offenses against Public Order and Peace. The problem has been ongoing since mid-2024, when the existing escalator broke down. Initially, the city was responsible for repairs, but later it was decided to purchase new escalators from China, which were delivered and installed in Zagreb. The city emphasizes that such actions disrupt daily life, especially for elderly and mobility-impaired citizens, and warns that offenders face legal sanctions.

A police statement has confirmed that officers used force during an incident at Zagreb’s main train station early Monday morning. According to the statement, a 21-year-old man was detained after allegedly disrupting public order and engaging in a physical altercation with a 29-year-old man. The police intervened to prevent the suspect from fleeing, using physical force and restraint devices. The suspect was later taken into custody for further investigation. The incident occurred around 6:40 a.m., as captured in a video circulating on social media. The footage shows the young man lying on the tram tracks, blocking the passage of a tram. Police confirmed they responded to a complaint about disturbances to public order and peace shortly before 7 a.m. They stated that upon arriving at the scene, they acted to stop the individual from escaping, employing measures of coercion. The suspect was found to have a blood alcohol concentration of 1.92 grams per liter of body fluid, according to the police report. Medical examination revealed superficial injuries to the suspect's hand, which were determined to have been sustained prior to the police intervention and not as a result of the use of force. The suspect will be brought before a local court for a violation under Article 6 of the Law on Offenses Against Public Order and Peace. The police emphasized that such actions are subject to legal consequences and that individuals who misuse emergency stop buttons or engage in vandalism face sanctions. Separately, the city of Zagreb has been dealing with ongoing issues related to malfunctioning moving staircases at the Importanne Center. These escalators, installed after more than two years of delays, have frequently stopped operating, causing inconvenience to pedestrians. Initially, there were disputes over responsibility for maintenance between the city and the center. Eventually, new escalators were ordered and delivered from China via the Port of Rijeka before being installed in Zagreb. Recent reports indicate that the escalators have continued to experience intermittent failures. Some residents suspect that someone might be intentionally pressing the emergency stop button, leading to frequent shutdowns. The city has noted that these incidents disrupt the movement of pedestrians, particularly older individuals who rely on such facilities. The authorities have warned that unauthorized activation of safety switches can lead to legal repercussions under the same law governing public order and peace. In response to the situation, the city has advised that the escalators should only be restarted by authorized personnel. Despite efforts to resolve the issue, the escalators remain unreliable, creating additional challenges for commuters navigating the central area of Zagreb. The city continues to monitor the situation and is working with the relevant parties to ensure proper functioning of the infrastructure.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

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3 reports

N1 Hrvatska logoN1 HrvatskaIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 709/1/2026
The city found out why the new escalators at the Importancia keep closing.

The city of Zagreb has revealed that the new moving stairs at the Importanne center have been repeatedly stopping due to unauthorized activation of emergency stop buttons by individuals. These actions disrupt public order and inconvenience citizens, especially elderly and mobility-impaired individuals. The city emphasized that such behavior violates laws against disturbing public peace and order, and those responsible could face penalties. The escalators were installed after previous ones were removed in mid-2024 due to disputes over maintenance responsibilities between the city and the Importanne Center. The new escalators were imported from China via the Port of Rijeka and mounted in Zagreb.

Bias read (Center): The article presents information from the city authorities regarding vandalism affecting public infrastructure and mentions legal repercussions for such actions. It does not exhibit clear ideological bias but focuses on the issue of public disorder and responsibility for infrastructure maintenance.

Why factuality (85): This article mirrors the content of the first one, providing similar details about the escalators stopping repeatedly and referencing the city’s statement regarding the safety switch. It includes additional context about the history of the escalators and the legal implications of unauthorized use, w

Why objectivity (70): Similar to the first article, this piece has a tone that suggests responsibility lies with individuals pressing the emergency stops, which can be interpreted as placing blame rather than presenting a neutral account.

N1 Hrvatska logoN1 HrvatskaIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 708/31/2026
The escalators at the Importanne Center work a little, they don't work a little.

The moving stairs at the Importanne center in Zagreb have been operational for just over two years but have frequently stopped working, causing inconvenience for pedestrians. The issue appears to stem from safety switches being accidentally activated, requiring manual resetting. The City of Zagreb has stated that an authorized service has been contacted to investigate the exact cause of the repeated failures. These stairs serve as a crucial pedestrian connection between the ZET bus terminal, the main train station, and Ante Starčević Square, where several tram lines operate.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on technical issues with infrastructure without taking a clear stance on political matters. It cites the City of Zagreb and mentions an investigation by an authorized service, presenting the situation factually without apparent bias.

Why factuality (85): This article closely follows the primary source, reporting that the escalators were recently activated but have since stopped multiple times. It mentions the city’s statement about a possible accidental activation of a safety switch and the involvement of an authorized service. It also provides some

Why objectivity (70): While the article remains mostly factual, it uses slightly more emotive language when discussing the impact on pedestrians, particularly older individuals, which could be seen as subtly biased toward portraying the situation negatively.

Večernji list logoVečernji listIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 609/1/2026
Bizarre reason: new stairs in Tomislavce are always clogged, the city found out why

The article reports on an ongoing issue in Zagreb where new escalators at the Importanne Center near Tomislavgrad have repeatedly stopped, causing inconvenience to residents. The city authorities claim that these stops are due to unauthorized individuals pressing emergency stop buttons, which are legally punishable under the Law on Offenses against Public Order and Peace. The problem has been ongoing since mid-2024, when the existing escalator broke down. Initially, the city was responsible for repairs, but later it was decided to purchase new escalators from China, which were delivered and installed in Zagreb. The city emphasizes that such actions disrupt daily life, especially for elderly and mobility-impaired citizens, and warns that offenders face legal sanctions.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the situation as a matter of law enforcement and civic responsibility rather than taking a clear ideological stance. It cites legal provisions and official statements without overtly criticizing or praising any political group. While the issue involves public infrastructure and市

Why factuality (75): The article reports on the same event as the primary source document, mentioning that the escalators stopped again after briefly working. It references the city’s statement about a possible accidental activation of a safety switch and the involvement of an authorized service. However, it adds inform

Why objectivity (60): The tone is somewhat accusatory towards individuals who may be pressing the emergency stop buttons, suggesting they are responsible for the disruptions. This introduces a level of judgment that isn't present in the neutral primary source.

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