Over 20 individuals were injured when a ride at Green Mountain Park in Taif, Saudi Arabia, suddenly broke apart and plummeted to the ground. The incident occurred on July 31, as captured in videos shared widely on social media platforms, revealing moments just before the catastrophe.
The ride, named “360 Degrees,” operates with riders secured in seats around a rotating platform that oscillates in the air. Video footage shows the ride functioning normally at first, swinging riders midway through the air, when suddenly the central support pole snapped, causing the platform and its riders to crash down. Eyewitness accounts from those present at the scene describe terrifying moments as individuals, who were buckled in, were violently thrown from their seats, with some being struck by the recoiling pole.
A total of 23 people sustained injuries, with three individuals reported to be in critical condition. Emergency responders tended to victims at the scene before transferring the injured to local hospitals, leading to the declaration of a code yellow emergency in Taif, which indicates a mass casualty incident.
Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the cause of this unfortunate incident. This event adds to several recent amusement park accidents globally, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in the amusement industry. In April, a similar tragedy occurred in Delhi, India, where a woman’s life was lost after a roller coaster malfunction.
While the immediate aftermath of the incident is distressing, the swift response from medical personnel and the investigation being undertaken offer hope for improved safety measures in the future, which could prevent such occurrences and better protect patrons at amusement parks.