This is the dramatic moment terrified passengers leapt over a deadly jagged gap when an airport escalator went haywire.

The machine was carrying travellers to the second floor of the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok when it malfunctioned on June 11.

Shocked CCTV footage shows the device suddenly stopping as a chasm appears between the metal plates on the surface. Worried passengers jumped acorss the abyss to avoid being sucked into the deadly metal.

Security guards secured the area before mechanics fixed the escalator.

Airport boss Suebpong Khamhong said the malfunction was caused by a technical fault.

He said: ‘The system automatically shut down when it detected an abnormality.'

Technicians from the Hitachi Elevator (Thailand) Company arrived to investigate. They said the stepper mechanism appeared intact but they found a broken screw head lodged between two steps.

It reportedly caused parts of the escalator to lift and strike the end plate, which activated the emergency stop.

Staff said the safety system operated as intended.

The airport chief added: ‘No passengers were harmed, and repairs were completed promptly with new equipment and full safety inspections.'

'During the maintenance, the airport services were able to resume with another escalator next to it.

'The airport has a team of specialists who remain on standby 24/7 to monitor and maintain all critical infrastructure.'