Tragedy Strikes Surajkund International Crafts Fair as Amusement Ride Collapses
A devastating incident unfolded at the 39th Surajkund International Crafts Fair on Saturday evening when an electrical swing, popularly known as the 'tsunami ride', collapsed, resulting in the death of a police inspector and injuries to 13 people. The accident triggered widespread panic and a brief melee at the venue, casting a shadow over the popular cultural event.
Details of the Catastrophic Collapse
According to police reports, the swing collapsed around 6:30 PM while operating at full speed with at least 26 riders on board. Witnesses described the harrowing moment when the ride suddenly became unhinged, tilted dangerously to one side, and was left hanging mid-air. With several passengers strapped into their seats and trapped inside, Inspector Jagdish Prasad, who was the duty in-charge of the amusement zone, rushed to assist in the rescue efforts.
Tragically, within minutes, the swing collapsed completely, trapping Inspector Prasad underneath and causing fatal head and facial injuries. His heroic attempt to save others ultimately cost him his life, highlighting the grave risks faced by first responders during such emergencies.
Eyewitness Accounts and Rescue Efforts
Raghav, a stall owner at the fairground, recounted hearing a loud noise followed by terrified screams. "I saw several people stuck on the swing after its hook snapped from one side. I climbed the hanging swing and rescued seven to eight people," he said. However, Raghav himself was injured when the railing fell on him as the swing collapsed completely, resulting in a shoulder injury.
"Some of the people on the ride fell on the ground and were injured," he added, painting a vivid picture of the chaos that ensued. Eight of the injured individuals were transported to Supreme Hospital, while others were taken to BK Civil Hospital in Faridabad using ambulances stationed at the mela site. Some police personnel also sustained minor injuries during the frantic rescue operation.
Official Response and Investigation
Deputy Commissioner Ayush Sinha announced that authorities would investigate whether a mechanical or electrical failure led to the catastrophic collapse. "An FIR has been lodged and a committee, to be headed by the ADC, has been set up. The committee will probe the incident and fix responsibility to ensure such incidents don't occur again," he stated firmly.
In a post on X, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini expressed deep sadness over the accident. "I express my heartfelt condolences to the family of the person who lost his life in this incident. At the same time, necessary directions have been issued to the concerned authorities for the appropriate and immediate treatment of the injured individuals. The Haryana government is fully committed, with utmost promptness and sensitivity, to providing all possible assistance to the injured and their families," he wrote.
Arvind Sharma, Cabinet Minister for Heritage and Tourism, visited the victims and assured that the state would provide all possible help. "I visited the victims and they are all stable," he reported. While the amusement area was sealed immediately after the accident, events scheduled for the weekend, including a performance by Punjabi singer Gurdas Maan on Sunday, remain unchanged.
Previous Safety Incidents and Broader Concerns
This tragedy has reignited debates about the regulation and maintenance of amusement rides at fairs across India. In a separate incident just three hours before the swing collapse, a gate near the food court at the same venue collapsed due to strong winds, injuring at least one person. Officials noted that the incident occurred as a large number of people were moving between shops inside the fairgrounds.
Sources claimed that the designer gate had been leaning for some time, but no corrective action was taken, leading to its sudden collapse. The visitor hit by the falling gate was rushed to a nearby hospital, and normal movement resumed only after the debris was cleared.
This is not the first time such accidents have occurred at amusement fairs. In January this year, a giant "Dragon Swing" at the Maharaj No Melo fair in Madhya Pradesh's Jhabua district snapped while in motion, injuring 14 schoolchildren. Officials confirmed that the children were taken to the district hospital, where most were treated for fractures and bruises, with eyewitnesses and authorities pointing to potential safety lapses and possible overloading of the ride.
Surajkund itself has a history of similar tragedies. A comparable swing accident at the fair in 2001 left three people dead, including an eight-year-old child, and 18 injured when an electrically powered swing became stuck at its apex, causing riders to fall to the ground. Police at the time attributed the collapse to a mechanical fault and registered negligence charges against the operators.
About the Surajkund International Crafts Fair
Organized by the Surajkund Mela Authority and Haryana Tourism in collaboration with Union ministries of tourism, textiles, culture, and external affairs, the mela was inaugurated on January 31 this year and will continue until February 15. The fair is a significant cultural event that attracts visitors from across the country and abroad, showcasing traditional crafts, performances, and cuisines.
The recent accidents, however, have raised serious questions about safety protocols and maintenance standards at such large-scale public events, prompting calls for stricter regulations and more rigorous inspections of amusement rides and structural installations.
